“Completely unfounded”: UAE Ministry of Defence denies Yemen Riyan Airport weapons allegations

The United Arab Emirates has firmly rejected recent claims made by the Governor of Hadramawt, Salem Al-Khanbashi, regarding supposed discoveries of weapons, explosives, and secret detention facilities at Riyan Airport in Mukalla, Yemen. The UAE Ministry of Defence described the allegations as completely unfounded, misleading, and lacking any factual evidence.

According to the Ministry, the statements presented during the press conference attempt to misrepresent the UAE’s role in Yemen, damage the reputation of its armed forces, and cast doubt on a decade of military commitments and operations.

Full withdrawal from Yemen

The Ministry emphasized that UAE forces officially concluded their withdrawal from Yemen on 2nd January 2026. This exit included the transfer of all equipment, weapons, and assets following established military protocols. The Ministry stated this step removes any possibility of claims regarding ongoing Emirati military, logistical, or technical presence on Yemeni soil.

This clear and documented withdrawal, the MoD said, ensures there is no room for misinterpretation about the UAE’s military footprint in Yemen.

Allegations of secret prisons refuted

The Ministry addressed claims about so-called “secret prisons” at Riyan Airport, describing them as deliberate fabrications designed to construct false narratives. Officials clarified that the facilities in question are standard military structures, including accommodation, operations rooms, and fortified shelters.

Some of these installations are located underground, a common feature in airports and military bases globally. The Ministry insisted that these facilities have no connection to the allegations of clandestine detention and function solely within normal military contexts.

Accusations viewed as politically motivated

The UAE Ministry of Defence expressed concern over the motivations behind the allegations, suggesting they are part of a systematic effort to distort facts and advance political agendas. The Ministry highlighted that such claims undermine public understanding of the UAE’s longstanding role in supporting Yemeni security and stability and unfairly question the sacrifices of Emirati soldiers over more than a decade of operations.

In a statement, the MoD concluded that the allegations are “an unacceptable attempt to mislead public opinion and tarnish the reputation of the UAE Armed Forces.” Officials called for careful scrutiny of those promoting these falsehoods, urging observers to recognise the verified facts over politically driven narratives.