Saudi Arabia Invites UAE Vice President Amid Houthi Attacks
Saudi Arabia invited UAE Vice President Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit Riyadh to mend diplomatic ties as Houthi forces intensify attacks on Saudi infrastructure.
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz invited United Arab Emirates Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, September 30, 2026. The invitation marks the first public move toward a face-to-face meeting since a December fallout, during which Riyadh accused the UAE of threatening its national security by supporting southern Yemeni separatists.
This diplomatic rapprochement follows a period of tension that began to thaw in July. The outreach occurs as Saudi Arabia faces intensifying attacks from Iran-backed Houthi forces targeting oil facilities, airports, tankers, and the capital, while the group expands its control along the Red Sea coast.
In response to these security threats, Saudi Arabia has sought broad international assistance. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly contacted U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to request help countering Houthi advances, though some reports suggest Trump may have rebuffed such requests. Additionally, Saudi military chiefs of staff met with counterparts from Turkey and Pakistan on Friday to discuss defense support for Riyadh.
While the UAE state news agency WAM described the upcoming trip as a "brotherly visit," it remains unclear if the invitation is specifically intended to secure UAE military or strategic support against the Houthis. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah previously stated that relations between the two nations are of paramount importance for regional stability.
