UAE official: Our war in Yemen is practically over

The United Arab Emirates’ involvement in more than a year of war in Yemen is “practically over”, a senior Emirati official said on Thursday.

“Our position today is clear: the war is practically over for our troops,” UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said during a lecture attended by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who also serves as deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed repeated the message on his official Twitter account.

“We’re monitoring political arrangements, empowering Yemenis in liberated areas,” Gargash added.

The UAE has lost 52 soldiers in battles with Houthi rebels and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The UAE is a major ally of Saudi Arabia and part of the Saudi-led coalition which has been fighting Yemeni rebels for over a year.