The future of Yemen was back in focus after the United Arab Emirates confirmed that it was reducing its military presence in the war-torn country, saying its "strategic redeployment" from the embattled port city of Hodeidah had long been agreed with Saudi Arabia. Abu Dhabi, Riyadh's key ally in the Arab coalition fighting Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, said remaining forces will now focus on counterterrorism efforts against Al-Qaeda and Islamic State — although the UAE will remain part of the Saudi-led coalition. The partial withdrawal could strain ties with Riyadh but is unlikely to cause a deeper rift at a time when escalating US-Iran tensions are threatening regional stability (EC Jul.5'19).
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