A report published by Middle East Eye said the United Arab Emirates' withdrawal from Yemen earlier this month was accompanied by a decision to halt funding for several major hospitals and humanitarian projects, disrupting access to specialized healthcare services for thousands of Yemenis.

According to the report, the UAE pulled out its forces after its allies in the Southern Transitional Council (STC) suffered setbacks in southern Yemen amid growing tensions with Saudi Arabia over the Emirati role in supporting separatist advances in areas controlled by the internationally recognized government.

The report noted that UAE-funded hospitals had become a critical source of healthcare in a country whose public health system has been severely weakened by more than a decade of conflict. Patients from various parts of Yemen reportedly relied on these facilities for free specialized medical treatment that was often unavailable in public hospitals and unaffordable in private clinics.

Middle East Eye highlighted the case of Lutf al-Qaheri, a 59-year-old kidney patient who traveled five hours to receive treatment at the UAE-funded 2nd of December Hospital in the Red Sea city of Mocha. The hospital, which opened in late 2024, had become an important healthcare center for communities along Yemen’s western coast.

According to the report, Qaheri had been waiting for surgery for two months before the UAE terminated the contract of the Indian company responsible for managing specialized services at the hospital. The decision led to the departure of the Indian medical team and the suspension of many procedures.

The report quoted Qaheri as saying that his scheduled operation was canceled after specialist doctors left the hospital, adding that although Yemeni doctors remain on duty, no specialists are currently available to perform the procedure he requires.

Middle East Eye reported that the cost of the operation at a private hospital would reach around $1,500, a sum beyond the means of many Yemenis facing difficult economic conditions.

According to the report, the 2nd of December Hospital and Shabwah Hospital are among dozens of UAE-funded projects that were suspended this month.

The report noted that the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) has pledged approximately 1.9 billion Saudi riyals (around $500 million) to support hospitals and other sectors, including electricity and infrastructure. However, the transition process has not yet been fully completed, leaving some facilities without the specialized personnel needed to provide advanced medical services.

Middle East Eye also reported that Mocha is controlled by forces loyal to Tareq Saleh, who was previously aligned with the UAE but has increasingly strengthened ties with the Saudi-backed leadership.

The report cited local sources as saying that many Emirati development projects were concentrated in areas where the UAE maintained a military presence or where local groups allied with Abu Dhabi held influence.

At the same time, the report noted that not all Yemenis blame the UAE for the current situation.

It cited Hussein Ahmed, a retired Yemeni who received free medical treatment for his wife at the UAE-funded Qabool Hospital in Taiz. Ahmed described the services provided by the hospital as exceptional and said he had never previously seen such high-quality healthcare offered free of charge in Yemen.

According to the report, Ahmed viewed the suspension of funding as a consequence of broader political developments, arguing that the UAE was not obligated to continue its support indefinitely after deciding to leave the country.

A doctor at the 2nd of December Hospital told Middle East Eye that the facility remains operational and that the current difficulties stem mainly from the termination of the contract with the Indian medical company. The doctor said Saudi Arabia has announced support for the hospital and that coordination efforts are underway to restore services and resume surgeries at full capacity.

The report quoted the doctor as stressing that healthcare services should remain separate from political disputes and that any support benefiting Yemeni patients should be welcomed regardless of its source.

However, other observers interviewed by the publication offered a different assessment.

Yemeni journalist Mohammed Sultan argued that the abrupt cancellation of hospital contracts suggests that humanitarian assistance was closely linked to broader political and military objectives. According to the report, Sultan said the UAE could have withdrawn its military presence while continuing support for hospitals until alternative funding arrangements were in place.

The report added that public criticism of the UAE has increased following the suspension of several projects, with some Yemenis accusing Abu Dhabi of using humanitarian assistance to advance strategic interests.

While acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s efforts to assume responsibility for the abandoned projects, Sultan told Middle East Eye that the sudden interruption of medical services had already affected patients waiting for critical treatment.

The report concluded that the interruption of funding has left many patients facing uncertainty while authorities work to complete the transition of healthcare support from the UAE to Saudi-backed institutions.

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