Saudi Arabia and UAE have dominated the Gulf countries since ancient times. These two Sunni Muslim-majority countries have considerable influence in the entire Middle East. For a long time, these two countries were each other’s closest and trusted partners. However, today things have changed, and they are becoming more and more enemies of each other. Tension is increasing between these two countries on the Yemen issue.
What is the latest development?
These two countries are fighting each other on the land of Yemen. On Tuesday (December 30), Saudi Arabia carried out an airstrike on an arms shipment belonging to the UAE in Yemen. Saudi forces bomb Yemen’s southern port city of Mukalla. The situation worsened so much that the Saudi-backed government in Yemen gave the UAE army a 24-hour ultimatum to leave the country. After this, UAE also withdrew its forces. The UAE’s Defense Ministry issued a statement saying it would end its remaining military presence in Yemen.
Friendship between Saudi Arabia and UAE
Saudi Arabia has been a supporter of UAE since the beginning. Both countries are Sunni Muslim-majority monarchies, whose economies depend on oil. Concerns over Iran’s growing influence in the Gulf have further strengthened their friendship. Their friendship was at its peak in the early 2010s. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and UAE ruler Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) were united against Islamic fundamentalism and Iran. In 2011, the UAE and Saudi Arabia formed a united front against Islamist movements. He sent joint forces to suppress a rebellion in Bahrain and played a key role in a military coup that ousted the Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt in 2013.
How did relationships deteriorate?
On December 30, 2025, the Saudi-led coalition conducted an airstrike on Yemen’s southern port of Mukalla. Saudi Arabia claims it targeted a dock used to deliver foreign military aid to UAE-backed separatists. Saudi Arabia clearly said that this attack was carried out on an arms consignment belonging to UAE. The UAE rejected Saudi Arabia’s claims, saying that the consignment that was attacked did not contain any weapons, but rather supplies and equipment for the UAE military.
real reason for enmity
Now both the countries want to move ahead with the oil economy. The UAE’s Vision 2021 (which was launched in 2008) positioned Dubai as a global hub. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is now challenging the UAE. Saudi Arabia’s Neom City, Riyadh Airport and Jeddah Port are now ready to become global hubs. Since 2021, Saudi Arabia has banned imports from UAE free zones. Mohammed bin Salman and Mohammed bin Zayed are competing to become the leader of the Gulf countries. It is worth noting that the UAE supports southern separatists and the Saudi government in Yemen. In Sudan, the UAE supports the RSF, while the Saudis support the SAF. Even in Libya and Egypt, both sides support different factions.
