Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks with UAE Vice-President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Riyadh on Tuesday (29 Sep), in the first public visit by a senior Emirati official since tensions between the Gulf allies became more visible in early 2026.
The meeting, also attended by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, focused on “brotherly bilateral relations and regional developments”, according to Saudi state news agency SPA.
Relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had deteriorated over several issues, including differences over Yemen, where Riyadh accused Abu Dhabi of supporting southern separatist forces, as well as disagreements over approaches to conflicts in Sudan and Syria. Tensions also extended to economic and energy policy, including the UAE’s decision to withdraw from OPEC.
The renewed dialogue comes as Yemen’s Houthi movement intensifies attacks against Saudi interests, increasing the need for regional coordination. Analysts say Riyadh and Abu Dhabi remain divided on some issues but recognise the importance of cooperation on shared security challenges.
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