Saudi Arabia has invited United Arab Emirates Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit the kingdom, signalling a possible thaw in relations between the two Gulf allies after months of tensions over Yemen.
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman extended the invitation on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Saudi Defence Ministry. It is the first publicly announced invitation for a face-to-face meeting between senior officials of the two countries since their dispute over Yemen became more pronounced.
Saudi Arabia and UAE signal rapprochement
Relations between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi showed signs of improvement in July, when senior officials and ministers from both countries publicly emphasised their longstanding ties and shared interests.
Saudi General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh also shared a photograph of Prince Khalid bin Salman alongside Sheikh Mansour, saying it had been taken recently.
The latest invitation comes as Saudi Arabia faces growing security pressure from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, which has intensified attacks on Saudi-linked targets.
The Houthis have targeted tankers, oil facilities, airports and other locations, while also making gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast against forces backed by Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh seeks international support
Saudi Arabia has been seeking greater international support as the situation in Yemen deteriorates.
A source in the office of Yemen’s internationally recognised leader told AFP earlier this week that he had requested US support during a phone call with President Donald Trump to counter the Houthi advance.
Saudi Arabia issues first air raid alerts for Riyadh as Houthi attacks escalate
The New York Times reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had also urged Trump to assist in confronting the group’s growing influence. Axios had previously reported that Trump rejected a similar request the previous week.
Meanwhile, the military chiefs of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan held talks on Friday on ways to support Riyadh as Houthi attacks continued to threaten the world’s leading crude oil exporter.
Yemen dispute strained Saudi-UAE ties
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have remained close partners on several regional issues, but their foreign policies have increasingly diverged in recent years.
The relationship came under particular strain in December when Saudi Arabia accused Abu Dhabi of threatening its national security by backing southern Yemeni separatists involved in a brief offensive.
The two countries have also supported opposing sides or pursued different policies in conflicts and political disputes involving Yemen, Sudan and the Horn of Africa.
The latest invitation to Sheikh Mansour therefore comes against the backdrop of both countries signalling a renewed emphasis on cooperation, while the worsening security situation in Yemen adds further pressure for closer coordination between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
