Somali minister explains why UAE ‘smuggling’ of fugitive was ‘last straw’
Somali government minister Ali Omar says the UAE improperly used Somali airspace to smuggle a Yemeni separatist leader.
![Somali Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ali Omar sits for an interview with Al Jazeera English. [Al Jazeera]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/somali_minister_state_foreign_affairs_ali_omar-1768318597.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Somali government minister Ali Omar says the UAE improperly used Somali airspace to smuggle a Yemeni separatist leader.
![Somali Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ali Omar sits for an interview with Al Jazeera English. [Al Jazeera]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/somali_minister_state_foreign_affairs_ali_omar-1768318597.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)








![Saudi-backed forces mobilise in Yemen's Hadramout province amid an offensive against the STC. [Rjubari via X]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Yemen_Hadramout_Saudi_UAE_STC_forces_2_jan_2026-1767378331.jpg?resize=730%2C410&quality=80)
Saudi Arabia bombed separatist STC positions in Yemen amid a push to take back control from the UAE-backed group.
Southern Transitional Council accuses Saudi Arabia of striking forces; Riyadh calls on all parties to attend forum.
STC separatists accuse Saudi Arabia of requiring flights to UAE to land in Jeddah; Saudi source rejects claim.
STC to maintain presence, but agrees to deployment of Riyadh-backed National Shield government forces in the areas.
Luciano Zaccara on the UAE’s decision to withdraw its forces from Yemen, which could alter its regional influence.













United Arab Emirates says its troops are pulling out of Yemen after the attack by Saudi Arabia.
Move comes after Riyadh accused Abu Dhabi of backing separatists in Yemen, a claim the UAE denies.