Mukalla was not merely a Yemeni city that escaped the grip of terrorism in 2016; it turned into a turning point in the global security battle thanks to efforts led by the United Arab Emirates, combining military decisiveness with ethical responsibility, and sustainable security.

When the Emirati forces, in cooperation with the Southern Yemeni forces, ended Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's control over Mukalla, the achievement was not only praised locally at the time but also gained clear international recognition. Former U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis described the operation as a successful counterterrorism model, noting its speed, precision, and ability to end Al-Qaeda’s control without destroying the city or creating a security vacuum.

For its part, U.S. Department of Defense reports confirmed that the loss of Mukalla constituted the biggest strategic blow dealt to Al-Qaeda in Yemen, as the group was deprived of its most important sources of funding and logistical centers, which directly reduced its ability to plan external attacks that threaten international interests.

In this context, studies published by The Washington Institute for Near East Policy indicated that the Emirati role on the Hadramout coast, especially in Mukalla, represented a rare case in which a military operation succeeded in combining counterterrorism with stabilizing security, by empowering local forces and handing them control of security instead of relying on a permanent foreign presence.

At the United Nations level, UN reports issued after the liberation of Mukalla observed a noticeable improvement in the security situation on the Hadramout coast and a decline in extremist activity there. This also reflected positively on the security of maritime navigation in the Gulf of Aden and near Bab al-Mandeb, one of the most vital arteries of global trade.

These international testimonies confirm that what happened in Mukalla was not a local battle, but an actual throttling of a transnational terrorist network that had long been used as a tool by the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood organization to destabilize regional security. According to Western security assessments, the operation contributed to preventing potential security disasters that could have affected cities, ports, and aircraft around the world.

Amid the ongoing political noise and controversy today, these words from non-Emirati figures and institutions stand as testimony to the truth: the UAE fulfilled its pledge, completed its mission, handed security over to its rightful local forces, and departed with its head held high. And Yemen, as its people know, contains men who recognized who the UAE truly was when tested on the ground.

Salute to the loyal Emirati soldiers, who proved to the world their competence and capability, and were truly a thorn in the side of every aggressor, and a support to local security that left a deep imprint on global security.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Annahar