Saudi Arabia needs to know UAE ‘serious’ about Yemen pullback – source |
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia welcomes the UAE’s troop withdrawal in Yemen, but tensions will remain while Abu Dhabi backs separatists there, a source close to the Saudi government told AFP on Wednesday.
Riyadh’s position is “wait and see” after the UAE announced a pullout on Tuesday, under pressure over a sweeping advance by the separatist forces in Yemen’s south.
Hours before the UAE’s announcement, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen bombed an alleged Emirati weapons shipment, and Riyadh endorsed a 24-hour deadline issued by Yemen’s presidential council leader for UAE forces to leave.
“It’s a good de-escalation step, but how will it play out?” the source told AFP on condition of anonymity, referring to the UAE........