UAE 'Voluntarily' Exits Yemen After Saudi 24-Hour Ultimatum
The UAE today declared it was 'voluntarily' withdrawing its remaining forces from Yemen, a move conspicuously timed with a 24-hour ultimatum from Saudi Arabia. This follows accusations from the Riyadh-backed presidential council that Abu Dhabi-supported separatists orchestrated a sweeping offensive, undermining the very 'anti-terrorism' efforts the UAE claimed to be conducting. The Saudis, of
course, understand external forces 'voluntarily' choosing to withdraw when their interests clash, as they tried to do with Qatar not long ago. Funny how these things always seem to happen 'of their own volition,' isn't it? The media calls this a 'sovereign decision.' One might wonder how many sovereign nations issue ultimatums to their allies before they make such 'voluntary' choices. Perhaps
'benevolent pressure' is the new diplomatic term for 'do as you're told or else.' The theatre of nations, ever so subtle.