Yemen's Aden airport shuts as Saudi-UAE rift deepens over Emirati flight cancellations
Aden airport was shut down by the separatist Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates, in defiance of a government ban on UAE flights imposed to curb rising tensions in Yemen. The internationally recognized government is supported by Saudi Arabia
Passengers walk at the arrival lounge of Aden Airport in Yemen on January 1. Credit: Fawaz Salman/Reuters
Passengers walk at the arrival lounge of Aden Airport in Yemen on January 1. Credit: Fawaz Salman/Reuters
06:02 PM • January 01 2026 IST
Aden airport was shut down on Wednesday by the separatist Southern Transitional Council that governs southern Yemen, in defiance of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, backed by Saudi Arabia, to restrict flights, a source told Reuters.
The Saudi-backed government put a restriction on UAE flights to and from Abu Dhabi and Dubai in order to curb escalating tensions in Yemen. The UAE backs the Southern Transitional Council.
On Thursday, the STC agreed to allow Saudi-allied troops to deploy to the contested Hadramaut province in the south of the country. STC spokesman Mohammed al-Nakib said that the aim is to secure the alliance's gains against the Houthis.
Passengers wait for flights at Aden Airport in Yemen, January 1. Credit: Fawaz Salman/Reuters
