RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met United Arab Emirates Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Riyadh on Tuesday as regional tensions continue to intensify.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and developments across the region, including the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Sheikh Mansour’s visit came as Saudi Arabia faces renewed attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, which has launched missiles and drones towards Saudi territory in recent weeks.
Earlier in the day, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman received the UAE vice president in Riyadh, according to Saudi state media. The UAE’s official news agency, WAM, described Sheikh Mansour’s trip as a “fraternal visit” made at the invitation of the Saudi leadership.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of significant changes in Yemen and the wider Middle East. The Houthis, who have controlled Yemen’s capital since 2014, have expanded their presence along parts of the country’s Red Sea coast, while Saudi Arabia continues to support Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes against Houthi positions in recent days, according to reports from the movement, while the Saudi-led coalition has said it intercepted ballistic missiles targeting areas of the kingdom.
On September 24, Saudi authorities reported intercepting Houthi ballistic missiles after issuing warnings for several regions, including Makkah. The attacks followed the collapse of a years-long truce and renewed fighting in Yemen.
The security situation around the Bab al-Mandab Strait has also become a major concern. The strategic waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is an important route for international shipping and energy exports.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have previously had differences over their approaches to Yemen. The UAE withdrew its forces from Yemen earlier this year after Riyadh accused Abu Dhabi of supporting a military operation by Yemeni separatists that Saudi officials said threatened the kingdom’s national security.
Despite those differences, the latest high-level meeting indicates continued diplomatic engagement between the two Gulf states at a time of heightened regional tensions.
Saudi Arabia has also been seeking international support in dealing with the Houthi threat, although it was not immediately clear whether Riyadh’s efforts included a request for direct assistance from the UAE.
The meeting between Mohammed bin Salman and Sheikh Mansour comes as the wider Middle East remains affected by continuing confrontations involving regional and international powers, adding further importance to coordination between the Gulf states.
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