Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes targeting Emirati equipment unloading at the port of Mukalla in Yemen on Tuesday after accusing its ally of “extremely dangerous” actions, a major escalation in the war-torn nation.

After weeks of high tensions following the Emirati-backed Southern Transition Council’s seizure of eastern Yemen, hopes of de-escalation have collapsed after Riyadh launched airstrikes on Emirati equipment being unloaded at Mukalla on the Gulf of Aden. It coupled its airstrikes with a major ultimatum, demanding the United Arab Emirates remove all its forces from Yemen and cease all financial and military support of all factions in the country within 24 hours.

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