While the Saudi forces were on their way to the port in order to unload an oil tanker, the so-called Security Belt Forces, which forms the military wing of the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) stopped them, said a source from inside the port, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Middle East Monitor reported recently.
The UAE-backed forces forced the Saudi militaries to return to their base because they had not coordinated their arrival with the leadership.
On Saturday, the Security Belt Forces prevented an oil tanker from unloading its shipment in the port despite having permission from the ex-Yemeni government.
The separatists have long eyed independence for southern Yemen. Prodded by the UAE, though, they had agreed to fight under the coalition’s command.
The infighting has highlighted deepening divisions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the two countries who are leading a coalition that waged a war on Yemen five years ago.
Southern Yemen was a separate country until it merged with the north in 1990.