Saudi Arabia expressed regret over United Arab Emirates pressure on Southern Transitional Council forces to conduct military operations near the kingdom's southern border in Yemen's Hadhramaut and Mahra provinces, describing the actions as a threat to national security, the Foreign Ministry stated on December 30.

Yemen has been trapped in a civil war since 2015 between the Tehran-backed Houthi movement controlling the capital Sanaaa and the Saudi-backed and internationally recognised central government in Aden, known as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC). The UAE backs the STC, further complicating the picture of control, despite their being part of the PLC. 

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its regret over what the sisterly United Arab Emirates has done in pressuring the forces of the Southern Transitional Council to push its forces to carry out military operations on the kingdom's southern border in the governorates of Hadhramaut and Mahra, which constitute a threat to the kingdom's national security," the ministry stated, according to Saudi Press Agency.

The statement referenced ships loaded with weapons and heavy vehicles moving from Fujairah port to Mukalla port without obtaining official permits from Arab Coalition Joint Forces Command, following earlier statements by Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen.

"The steps taken by the sisterly United Arab Emirates are extremely dangerous and do not align with the foundations upon which the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen was established, nor do they serve its efforts to achieve Yemen's security and stability," the ministry stated.

Saudi Arabia affirmed that any infringement or threat to its national security constitutes a red line and the kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralise such threats.

The kingdom stressed the importance of the UAE's response to Yemen's request for the UAE military forces to withdraw from Yemen within 24 hours and halt any military or financial support to any party inside Yemen.

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed commitment to Yemen's security, stability and sovereignty alongside full support for Presidential Leadership Council President and his government.

The kingdom stated the Southern issue represents a just cause with historical and social dimensions, with the only solution being through dialogue within Yemen's comprehensive political solution involving all Yemeni factions, including the Southern Transitional Council.

"The kingdom hopes that wisdom will prevail and that the principles of brotherhood, good neighbourliness and the close relations that unite the Gulf Cooperation Council states, and the interest of brotherly Yemen, will be prioritised," the ministry stated.

Earlier, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called for resolving disputes through political dialogue and said Beijing would continue to promote peace, the state-run Xinhua reported.