The Yemeni government has imposed restrictions on air traffic to and from the United Arab Emirates, a move rejected by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), amid rising tensions between the two sides in recent weeks.

According to Reuters, a Saudi source confirmed that the Yemeni government has indeed imposed new restrictions on flights to and from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, aiming to curb escalation in Yemen.

In response, Reuters reported that the STC’s transport minister refused to comply with the decision and ordered the suspension of all flights to and from Aden International Airport.

In a statement, the STC-affiliated transport minister denounced what he described as “sudden new measures taken by Saudi Arabia.” He said he had received a memo from the Saudi-led coalition supporting the Yemeni government, requiring international flights to undergo inspection at Jeddah airport, before later being informed that the previous flight mechanism would continue, except for flights to and from the UAE.