Riyadh – Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates appear to be escalating, marked by a recent report broadcast on Saudi state television that leveled pointed criticisms and accusations against the Emirati government. The report hinted at potential “measures and actions against anyone who harms or threatens the Kingdom’s national security.”
The broadcast, aired on Al-Ekhbariya channel, accused the Abu Dhabi government of acting contrary to repeated Saudi calls for maintaining strong bilateral relations. Specifically, the report alleges that Abu Dhabi “orchestrated the smuggling of Yemeni fugitive Aidarous al-Zubaidi and provided financial support to him and his followers to incite against the Kingdom.”
The report further claimed that this incitement included accusations that Riyadh supports the Muslim Brotherhood and empowers al-Qaeda. It also cited media claims regarding the detention of members of a southern delegation that was present in Riyadh. These actions, according to the report, represent a clear violation of Saudi national security, warranting “deterrent measures” in the near future.
The Saudi media’s shift in tone towards Abu Dhabi is also notable. Official media outlets have reportedly begun using the phrase “Abu Dhabi government” instead of “United Arab Emirates,” a move observers interpret as a deliberate effort to sharpen the critical discourse against Emirati authorities.
Adding to the escalating tensions, Dahi Khalfan, the former Dubai Police Chief, posted on platform ‘X’, that ‘Unless Israel is safe, Arabs won’t be safe…Israel is a reality…Whoever denies that, change the reality…I will make him a statue in our neighborhood.’ Saudi media, represented by broadcaster Nader Al-Farhan, responded to the tweet, saying, ‘Dahi Khalfan will delete the tweet, because this is called a feeler, the controlling authority publishes it through a small tool to test the pulse and build on it, and then asks the small tool to delete it.’
In a related development concerning Yemen, the report cited a senior official in the Saudi-backed Yemeni government who claimed the discovery of secret prisons run by the UAE in the Hadramaut governorate in eastern Yemen, asserting that necessary measures would be taken against the UAE and the council.
