Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and met with Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, as well as the country's Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman. This visit marks the first visit by a senior Emirati official to Saudi Arabia since the deep rift between these two Gulf powers last year.
Context of the Visit and Existing Challenges
This visit followed an invitation from Prince Khalid bin Salman and occurred at a time when Saudi Arabia is facing increasing pressure from Iranian-backed Houthis. This group has escalated security threats in recent weeks by firing missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is trying to garner international support to counter the Houthis, but it is unclear whether this request includes the United Arab Emirates.
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Cooperation Talks and Bilateral Relations
Sheikh Mansour and Prince Khalid discussed common issues and ways to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two countries during this meeting. In a separate meeting, Sheikh Mansour also met with Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, to discuss the "brotherly" relations between the two countries and regional developments. This meeting reflects the efforts of both countries to improve relations and reduce tensions in recent years.
The United Arab Emirates has previously been one of Saudi Arabia's main partners in the war against the Houthis, but differences between the two countries in geopolitical matters and oil policy became evident last December when the advance of an Emirati-backed Yemeni separatist group approached Saudi borders. Saudi Arabia criticized the UAE's involvement in Yemen and conducted an airstrike on a weapons shipment linked to the UAE in the port of Al Mukalla in Yemen. Following that, the UAE announced that it had withdrawn all its forces from Yemen, but tensions continue.
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011, which has led to a Saudi-led military intervention following the Houthis' capture of the capital, Sana'a. This complex situation has clearly impacted relations between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, increasing the need for diplomacy and constructive dialogue.
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