The UAE Ministry of Defense has firmly and categorically denied the allegations raised during a press conference held by Hadramout Governor Salem Al-Hanbashi, which claimed the discovery of weapons and explosives at Al-Rayyan Airport in the Yemeni city of Mukalla and attempted to link them to the United Arab Emirates.

In an official statement, the Ministry stressed that these claims are entirely false, misleading, and unsupported by any evidence or factual basis. It described the allegations as a deliberate attempt to distort facts, mislead public opinion, and tarnish the reputation of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as undermine their well-established military record and declared commitments.

The Ministry reiterated that the UAE completed its full, official, and publicly announced withdrawal from Yemen on January 2, 2026. This withdrawal included the relocation of all military personnel, equipment, weapons, and technical assets in accordance with internationally recognized military procedures, leaving no room for speculation or claims regarding any remaining Emirati military, logistical, or technical presence on Yemeni territory.

Addressing the allegations related to the existence of so-called “secret prisons” at Al-Rayyan Airport, the Ministry clarified that such claims are purely fabricated and form part of a broader campaign of intentional misinformation. It explained that the facilities in question are standard military structures, including troop accommodations, operations rooms, and fortified shelters—some of which are underground—commonly found in military airports and installations worldwide, and carry no implications beyond their normal military function.

The UAE Ministry of Defense further noted that repeatedly associating the UAE with such unfounded accusations raises serious questions about the real motives behind their circulation. It emphasized that these narratives appear to be part of an organized effort to advance political agendas at the expense of truth, and to undermine the UAE’s longstanding contributions and sacrifices in support of Yemen’s security and stability over more than a decade.

The statement concluded by reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to transparency and professionalism, and its outright rejection of any attempts to damage the reputation of its armed forces or misrepresent their role, calling for accuracy, objectivity, and responsible reporting when addressing sensitive security-related issues.