The UAE in Yemen: Historic Epics on Three Fronts

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On this day, January 17, 2022, Houthi attacks on the UAE revealed the depth of the militias’ frustration with the UAE’s prominent role in Yemen.

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These attacks, coinciding with the “Southern Hurricane” operation to liberate Shabwa from the Houthis and their terrorist affiliates, provided further evidence of the UAE’s historic contributions on three fronts in Yemen: militarily, politically, and humanitarianly, significantly weakening the militias’ influence.

With a deep sense of pride and honor, Emiratis joined the Arab coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia to support military legitimacy in Yemen. Simultaneously, they pursued diplomatic efforts to resolve the political crisis and supported the Yemeni people by rebuilding infrastructure through projects spanning the country.

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Military Epics

On the ground, alongside Yemeni, Saudi, and coalition forces, the Emiratis left a historic mark through eight decisive battles that played a key role in defeating the Houthis and Al-Qaeda.

The first epic was the liberation of Aden during the “Golden Arrow” operation, culminating in a resounding victory in July 2015, with Emirati ground forces fighting alongside southern resistance. This battle also witnessed the sacrifice of the first Arab martyr, Abdulaziz Al-Kaabi, whose blood nourished the soil of the “Happy Yemen.”

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Just days after Aden’s liberation, the coalition forces stormed Al-Anad military base, Yemen’s largest, defeating the Houthis in August 2015.

In October 2015, Emiratis participated in the liberation of Marib under the leadership of Brigadier General Ali Saif Al-Kaabi, safeguarding the “Throne of Sheba” from Iranian influence and the Houthis.

During the same month, they fought fiercely to secure the Bab el-Mandeb strait, in a swift operation dubbed “Golden Spear.”

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In April 2016, the UAE contributed to the liberation of Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt province, from Al-Qaeda, preventing the group from establishing a base for its global operations.

In February 2017, coalition forces, including Emiratis, Saudis, and Sudanese, liberated Mokha before advancing towards Al-Khoukha in December of the same year.

In June 2018, the battle to liberate Hodeida was launched to protect international navigation from the Houthis, though international pressures hindered the operation.

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Finally, in January 2022, the “Southern Hurricane” operation succeeded in liberating Shabwa, saving Marib from an imminent fall. In retaliation, the Houthis attacked civilian facilities in Abu Dhabi.

According to Yemeni officer Ali Fadl Al-Tayyar, “The UAE’s sincere commitment to freeing Yemen from the Houthis and terrorist organizations will remain etched in memory as a noble and selfless act.”

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The Front of Peace and Human Rights

From the very first moments of the launch of Operation “Decisive Storm” in Yemen, the Emiratis engaged militarily and diplomatically alongside the Saudis, driven by a shared Arab, regional, and global interest in deterring Iran’s expansion and countering growing Houthi threats in the region.

The UAE has supported all regional and international efforts aimed at finding a political solution in Yemen, fulfilling the aspirations of its people for security, growth, and stability.

Furthermore, the UAE has consistently affirmed its support for the legitimate ambitions of the Yemeni people for development and prosperity, as part of its policy to promote the well-being of the region’s peoples.

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One prominent example of the UAE’s diplomatic stance in support of Yemen was the adoption of a resolution in October 2024 titled “Providing Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building for Yemen in the Field of Human Rights.”

This diplomatic movement culminated with the adoption of a resolution by the Human Rights Council at the conclusion of its 57th session. The resolution, presented by the UAE on behalf of the Arab group, aimed to empower Yemeni national institutions to enhance and protect human rights and provide support to the Yemeni government in fulfilling its commitments and addressing the needs of its people in both development and humanitarian sectors.

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The resolution also calls on all states to provide the necessary resources to support Yemen’s transitional process to address the consequences of violence and the economic and social challenges it faces, in coordination with international donors and according to the priorities set by Yemeni authorities.

Support for Yemen’s Development

On the humanitarian front, Emiratis have actively participated within the Arab Coalition forces, whether through emergency relief parallel to military operations or through rapid responses via UN agencies.

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The UAE also supported Yemeni institutions by launching significant development projects, such as solar power plants in Aden, Mocha, and Shabwa, as well as constructing vital roads like the Al-Kadaha road in Taiz and renovating airports such as Al-Rayyan and Mocha.

Additionally, the UAE, alongside Saudi Arabia, provided a billion-dollar deposit to the Yemeni Central Bank to rescue Yemen’s economy from collapse and mitigate the effects of the Houthi war.

In numbers, the total aid provided by the UAE to Yemen amounted to approximately 22.97 billion dirhams between 2015 and 2021, with this figure rising significantly due to continued UAE assistance across all sectors in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

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Support for Development and Human Rights

Aseel Mohammed, President of the Youth Development Forum, emphasized that the UAE has played a pivotal role since the start of the Arab Coalition, both militarily and humanitarily, alongside international efforts to resolve the escalating political crisis, ensure stability, and train armed forces to combat extremism and terrorism.

On the humanitarian side, Aseel Mohammed noted that the UAE provided essential aid to affected civilians worth over $6 billion, in addition to supporting infrastructure and basic services.

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He also highlighted that the proposal presented at the Human Rights Council during its 57th session seeks to enhance the capabilities of the independent national commission investigating allegations of human rights and international humanitarian law violations, ensuring justice and reparations.

According to him, the UAE’s efforts significantly bolster international initiatives aimed at achieving a comprehensive ceasefire, ending the war, and promoting constructive political dialogue for peace, while removing barriers to the delivery of relief and humanitarian aid.

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