Top US diplomat Rubio speaks to Saudi counterpart on Yemen

US ‍Secretary of State Marco Rubio ‍spoke with his Saudi counterpart, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin ⁠Farhan, about ongoing tensions in Yemen and regional security, the State Department said on Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, the UAE announced the end of its military presence in Yemen, adding that the decision was made at the UAE’s own discretion.

Hours earlier, the Arab Coalition launched a limited airstrike targeting what it called foreign military support at Mukalla port, days after it warned the Southern Transitional Council (STC) against making military moves in the eastern province of Hadramout.

A coalition spokesperson said two ships arriving from the UAE port of Fujairah entered Mukalla port on Saturday and Sunday without authorization from the coalition, disabled their tracking systems and unloaded large quantities of weapons and combat vehicles “to support the (STC).”

Following the strikes, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad al-Alimi demanded that UAE forces withdraw from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, and announced the cancellation of the joint defense agreement with the UAE, saying “the UAE’s role has become directed against the Yemeni people.”