The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence has issued a formal rebuttal against allegations made by the Yemeni government regarding purported secret detention facilities in Yemen’s Hadramout province. The claims, presented during a recent press conference in Yemen, suggested Emirati forces maintained covert prisons and stored weapons at Riyan Airport in Mukalla.
In an official statement, the UAE defense establishment characterized these accusations as “deliberate fabrications and misinformation” designed to construct false narratives lacking both accuracy and professional integrity. The ministry emphasized that the referenced facilities constitute standard military infrastructure—including operational accommodations, command centers, and reinforced shelters—with some underground components typical of military installations worldwide.
Further complicating the diplomatic situation, the UAE referenced its complete military withdrawal from Yemen on January 2, 2026, asserting that all equipment, weapons, and assets were transferred according to established military protocols. This withdrawal, the ministry stated, eliminates any possibility of continued Emirati military, logistical, or technical presence on Yemeni territory.
The defense ministry expressed concern that these allegations represent a coordinated effort to advance political agendas while undermining the UAE’s decade-long security contributions to Yemen. The statement concluded with strong language condemning what it characterized as an unacceptable attempt to distort facts, mislead public opinion, and tarnish the reputation of the UAE Armed Forces and their documented military commitments.