The United Arab Emirates firmly rejected claims on Tuesday that it runs secret prisons in southern Yemen, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated fabrications. The statements follow accusations from Saudi-backed Yemeni officials that have intensified tensions between the Gulf powers.
A UAE defence ministry spokesperson described the claims as “deliberate fabrications” and a “blatant attempt to advance political agendas at the expense of truth.” The controversy erupted after clashes between UAE- and Saudi-backed forces, prompting Abu Dhabi to pull its remaining troops from Yemen.
Since 2015, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have allied to fight Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthi rebels, but diverging interests in the south have seen them supporting opposing factions. Last month, UAE-backed separatists made advances in Hadramawt and Mahra provinces, only to be pushed back by Saudi air strikes and allied ground forces.
Hadramawt’s governor told foreign media on Monday that several “secret prisons used by Emirati forces” had been uncovered. The UAE, however, clarified that the sites in question are military accommodations, operations rooms, and fortified shelters, some built underground for operational security.
“The attempt to implicate the UAE in these allegations raises serious questions about the motives behind these false claims,” the ministry added.
Currently, Saudi Arabia is consolidating control over government-held southern Yemen, while northern regions, home to the majority of Yemen’s population, remain under Houthi control.
