By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seeking to ease rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over the conflict in Yemen. The diplomatic effort follows an airstrike by the Saudi-led Arab coalition on shipments of weapons and military vehicles reportedly coming from the UAE.
In response, Saudi Arabia has demanded that the UAE withdraw its forces from Yemen within 24 hours. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has travelled to Rahim Yar Khan to meet the UAE president amid the escalating crisis. A spokesperson for the Arab coalition said the weapons were being delivered to Hadhramaut.
The Saudi foreign ministry described the UAE’s actions as contrary to efforts to establish peace in Yemen and expressed disappointment at the conduct of its “brotherly country.” Saudi Arabia warned that the ongoing tensions pose a threat to its national security, declaring that any danger would be met with an immediate and decisive response.
Yemen has also cancelled its joint defence agreement with the UAE. Rashad Mohammad al-Alimi, head of the Yemeni Presidential Council, said the naval vessels involved had departed from the UAE’s port of Fujairah and demanded the withdrawal of UAE forces from Yemeni territory. Earlier, the Arab coalition struck two naval vessels at the port of Al Mukalla that were attempting to smuggle weapons.
Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki, a coalition spokesperson, said the operation was carried out at the request of the Yemeni Presidential Council and in accordance with international law, noting that the ships were offloading weapons and armored vehicles without authorization. The incident has heightened regional tensions and placed Pakistan in a delicate position as it seeks to mediate between two of its Gulf partners.
