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The Arab Coalition in Yemen carried out limited Saudi airstrikes in Yemen targeting what it described as foreign military support at Mukalla port, days after warning the Southern Transitional Council (STC) against making military moves in the eastern governorate of Hadramout.

A coalition spokesperson said that two ships arriving from the UAE’s Fujairah port entered Mukalla port on Saturday and Sunday without authorization from coalition command, disabled their tracking systems, and unloaded large quantities of weapons and combat vehicles allegedly intended to support the STC.

According to Saudi state media, the coalition confirmed that the airstrikes caused no casualties or collateral damage at Mukalla port.

The coalition also released video footage that it said documents the transfer of weapons after the two vessels docked at the port.

Acting on a request from Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman, Rashad al-Alimi, to protect civilians in Hadramout and al-Mahra, coalition air forces conducted the limited military operation early Tuesday. The strike targeted the unloaded weapons and vehicles, Saudi media reported, citing Coalition Forces Spokesman Brig. Gen. Turki al-Maliki.

Al-Maliki stated that the operation was carried out after the weapons transfers were fully documented and in accordance with international humanitarian law.

“This represents a clear violation of de-escalation measures and efforts to reach a peaceful solution, as well as a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015,” al-Maliki said in a statement.

The development follows a call by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who urged the STC to withdraw from the governorates of Hadramout and al-Mahra and hand over authority to local administrations. He emphasized that the southern issue is of great importance and must be resolved through consensus and confidence-building among Yemenis.

The coalition reiterated that it will continue to prevent any military support from any country to any Yemeni faction without coordination with the internationally recognized government.