ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has issued a strongly worded warning through itsofficial state television channel, declaring that it will not hesitate totake necessary steps and measures in response to alleged incitementoriginating from Abu Dhabi. This development, broadcast marks a significantescalation in the already strained bilateral relations between the two Gulfpowers, highlighting deep-seated differences over regional influence andsecurity concerns.
The statement from Al-Ekhbariya, Saudi Arabia’s state news channel, cameamid ongoing accusations that the United Arab Emirates has been supportingactions perceived as threatening to Saudi national security. Politicalobservers note that such explicit language from official Saudi mediarepresents a departure from the usual diplomatic restraint observed betweenGulf Cooperation Council members, underscoring the gravity of the currentrift.
Tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have roots in diverging foreignpolicy visions, particularly evident in Yemen, where both countries havebacked opposing factions in the long-running civil war. In late December2025, Saudi-led coalition forces conducted airstrikes on the port city ofMukalla, targeting what Riyadh described as a UAE-linked shipment ofweapons and combat vehicles intended for the Southern Transitional Council,a separatist group seeking greater autonomy in southern Yemen.
The Mukalla incident triggered immediate repercussions, with Saudi Arabiademanding the withdrawal of remaining UAE forces from Yemen within a shorttimeframe. In response, the UAE announced it would pull out its troops,framing the move as a commitment to de-escalation while rejecting claims ofunauthorized arms deliveries. This exchange exposed underlying competitionover control of strategic southern Yemeni territories bordering SaudiArabia, including oil-rich provinces in Hadramaut.
Broader regional dynamics have amplified the dispute, with Saudi concernsextending to UAE engagements in Sudan, Somalia, and even Syria. Riyadh hasaccused Abu Dhabi of promoting sub-state fragmentation through support fornon-state actors and autonomous zones, a strategy seen as undermining Saudipreferences for centralized state authority and unified regional stability.Analysts point to these patterns as contributing to Riyadh’s perception ofan existential threat to its southern border and Red Sea interests.
In contrast, the UAE has emphasized its historical role in counteringextremism and securing maritime routes, defending its interventions asnecessary for broader Gulf security. However, the public nature of theconfrontation, including mutual media criticisms and rare directaccusations, has drawn comparisons to the 2017 Qatar crisis, though expertsstress key differences in scale and vulnerability.
Unlike the Qatar blockade, which involved economic isolation and diplomaticseverance, the current Saudi-UAE tensions involve direct military actionsin a proxy theater and a more balanced power dynamic. The UAE’s strongeconomic diversification, advanced military capabilities, and independentalliances reduce the likelihood of a full rupture akin to the Qatarexperience, where mediation eventually restored ties.
Political analysts have warned that continued escalation could lead to aprofound shift in Gulf alignments, potentially fragmenting the regionalorder and complicating efforts to address shared threats such as Houthiactivities in Yemen. Riyadh’s warning appears aimed at reasserting primacyand deterring further perceived provocations, while Abu Dhabi’s measuredresponses suggest confidence in weathering the pressure.
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Despite the sharp rhetoric, diplomatic channels remain open, with calls forrestraint and dialogue from both sides. The United States, a key ally toboth nations, has engaged in mediation efforts to prevent furtherdeterioration. Observers believe that while the dispute reflects genuinestrategic divergences, mutual economic interdependence and shared interestsin countering Iran may ultimately encourage containment rather thanoutright confrontation.
The incident has raised questions about the future cohesion of the GulfCooperation Council, as public media confrontations erode the tradition ofprivate resolution. If unmanaged, such frictions could influence broaderMiddle Eastern dynamics, including approaches to Israel, Sudan, and Horn ofAfrica stability.
As tensions persist into 2026, the Saudi warning serves as a clearindicator that bilateral relations have entered a precarious phase,demanding careful navigation to avoid unintended consequences for regionalpeace and security.
Source:https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/middleeast/uae-saudi-power-struggle-yemen-intl
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