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The Saudi defence ministry announced that Prince Khalid bin Salman had extended an invitation to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for a visit on Tuesday with the UAE official accepting for what the Emirates News Agency described as a fraternal trip. According to a statement posted by the ministry the invitation went to the UAE vice president deputy prime minister and presidential court head as the two Gulf states work to mend relations. WAM reported the development without offering specifics on the agenda while Saudi state media framed the gathering as a brotherly engagement between the neighbouring nations.
Prince Khalid bin Salman faces mounting pressure from Houthi attacks on Saudi targets including missiles and drones directed at oil facilities and airports a Reuters assessment found. Saudi Arabia has sought international backing to counter the Iran-backed group which has seized control of key Yemeni coastal areas in recent weeks according to multiple regional reports. The visit occurs as Riyadh continues outreach to allies though it remained unclear whether the UAE would join those efforts the news agency added.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE escalated publicly in December when Riyadh accused Abu Dhabi of backing southern Yemeni separatists in operations that it said threatened Saudi national security Reuters reported. The UAE withdrew its forces from Yemen earlier this year following the dispute a step that highlighted differing approaches to the long-running conflict. Both sides had supported different factions in Yemen prior to the rift which marked a rare public breach in usually close GCC ties.
Signs of a thaw emerged in July when senior officials from both countries posted coordinated messages on social media emphasising friendship and unity according to Al Arabiya English. Saudi General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh shared a photograph of Prince Khalid bin Salman alongside Sheikh Mansour describing it as a recent meeting in a further indication of resumed contacts. Media ministers from the two states also exchanged posts on Gulf cohesion during that period a development that preceded the formal invitation.
The trip marks the first announced high-level face-to-face engagement since the Yemen-related fallout became public last year a Khaleej Times summary of official statements noted. WAM characterised the visit as a direct response to the Saudi defence minister’s outreach without elaborating on expected discussions. Saudi state media highlighted the brotherly nature of the engagement as the countries navigate shared regional security concerns.
