Khaberni - The UAE Ministry of Defense categorically denied the claims made at the press conference held by Salem Al-Khanbashi, Governor of Hadramout, regarding allegations and false and misleading claims that are not based on any evidence or fact, about the discovery of quantities of weapons and explosives allegedly linked to the UAE at Al Rayan Airport in the Yemeni city of Mukalla.
The Ministry confirmed that these claims are completely unfounded and represent an unacceptable attempt to falsify facts and mislead the public, as well as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the UAE armed forces and undermine their military commitments and their well-documented record.
The Ministry clarified that the UAE forces had officially and publicly completed their full withdrawal from Yemen on January 2, 2026, which included the transfer of all equipment, weapons, and devices in accordance with accepted and customary military procedures, preventing any interpretation or claims of any military, logistical, or technical presence of the UAE on Yemeni territory.
Regarding the claims about the existence of "secret prisons" inside Al Rayan Airport, the Ministry emphasized that these allegations are nothing but slander and deliberate deception aimed at creating fabricated narratives lacking in accuracy and professionalism. The Ministry confirmed that the facilities referred to are merely military accommodations, operation rooms, and fortified shelters, some of which are located underground, a common and well-known practice in various airports and military facilities around the world, carrying no implications beyond the normal military context.
The Ministry of Defense stressed that involving the name of the UAE in such claims raises questions about the real motives and the entities behind the promotion of these lies, considering it a blatant attempt to push political agendas at the expense of the truth, and part of a systematic campaign to tarnish the image of the UAE and the sacrifices of its soldiers in supporting Yemen and protecting its security and stability over more than ten years.
