Yemen Coalition Airstrike Targets Weapons Offloaded At Mukalla Port Following Vessel Violations

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen says its Air Force carries out a limited airstrike at Mukalla Port after monitoring two vessels that unloaded weapons and military vehicles. The operation targets cargo seen as an imminent threat to civilians and stability in Eastern Yemen.

Major General Turki Al-Malki, Official Spokesperson of the Coalition, states that the strike focuses on equipment offloaded in support of forces linked to the Southern Transitional Council in Hadramaut and Al Mahrah governorates. The action follows a formal request from the President of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen.

According to the spokesperson, the airstrike is carried out after detailed surveillance and documentation of the cargo. Coalition forces say the attack is conducted under Customary International Humanitarian Law and in a way that avoids collateral damage. The statement notes that de-escalation efforts in Hadramaut and Al Mahrah will continue.

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki issued the following statement: "On Saturday and Sunday (December 27-28, 2025) two vessels arrived to the Port of Mukalla from the Port of Fujairah without obtaining any permits from the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition. The ships’ crew had disabled the tracking devices aboard the vessels, and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council’s forces in Hadramaut and Al Mahrah governorates in Eastern Yemen. These actions are considered flagrant violations to pacification and reaching a peaceful resolution, in addition to being in defiance of the UNSCR (2216) of (2015). In response to the request of President of the PLC in Yemen that the Coalition forces take all necessary military measures to safeguard the civilians in Hadramaut and Al Mahrah Governorates. And considering that the aforementioned weapons constitute an imminent threat, and an escalation that threatens peace and stability, the Coalition Air Force has conducted this morning a limited airstrike that targeted weapons and military vehicles offloaded from the two vessels in Mukalla Port. The airstrike took place following close surveillance and documentation of the cargo, and was conducted in accordance with the Customary International Humanitarian Law, and in a manner that guarantees no collateral damage. The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will continue its deescalation and pacification in Hadramaut and Al Mahrah Governorates, and will maintain its blocking of any and all military support from whichever country that does so without coordinating with the legitimate Yemeni Government and the Coalition, in order to ensure the success of the Kingdom and Coalition’s efforts to achieve security and stability, and prevent further expansion of the conflict."

The Coalition describes the arrival of the unlicensed vessels from the Port of Fujairah, with disabled tracking systems, as a direct challenge to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015. Coalition officials say such shipments undermine pacification efforts and risk widening the conflict beyond the targeted Yemeni governorates.

The Joint Forces Command stresses that it will keep blocking any form of military support entering Yemen without coordination with the legitimate Yemeni Government and the Coalition. Officials say this policy aims to support broader efforts by the Kingdom and Coalition partners to protect civilians, stabilise Eastern Yemen, and limit further escalation. The statement is released at 05:59 local time, 02:59 GMT.

With inputs from SPA