Saudi-UAE Rift and Invitation: Riyadh Calls Sheikh Mansour for Talks

Saudi Arabia – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – The Saudi-UAE Rift and Invitation story took a new turn on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia’s defence minister publicly asked the UAE’s Vice President to visit the kingdom. It is the first open call for a face-to-face meeting since the two countries fell out over Yemen.

Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz made the offer. The Saudi defence ministry shared his message in a statement on X.

The statement described Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the prince’s brother. It also listed his titles: UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Presidential Court. The visit was proposed for Tuesday.

This is not the first sign of warmer ties. In July, top officials and ministers from both countries posted messages about friendship and unity on social media. Many saw those posts as a sign that relations were healing.

During that period, Turki Alalshikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, shared a photo. It showed the Saudi crown prince beside Sheikh Mansour. He said the picture was taken only a few days earlier.

The trouble began in December. Saudi Arabia accused Abu Dhabi of threatening its national security. The kingdom said the UAE was backing southern Yemeni separatists, who launched a brief offensive.

The two Gulf powers have also disagreed in other places. Their policies have clashed in Yemen, Sudan and the Horn of Africa, where each has supported rival forces.

The timing of the invitation matters. Saudi Arabia is under heavy pressure from Houthi attacks that have gone on for weeks. The group has hit tankers, oil facilities, airports and even the capital, Riyadh.

The Houthis have also taken control of the Red Sea coast from Saudi-backed government forces. That is a serious setback for Riyadh.

The kingdom has been asking friendly countries for help. A source in the Yemeni leader’s office told AFP that he asked US President Donald Trump for support against the Iran-backed group.

The New York Times reported that the Saudi crown prince called Trump on Sunday. It said he urged the president, once again, to help stop the Houthi advance. Axios earlier reported that Trump turned down a similar request last week.

Saudi Arabia is also looking to regional partners. On Friday, the military chiefs of staff of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met. They discussed ways to support Riyadh as the Houthi attacks increase.

Saudi Arabia is the world’s top crude oil exporter. Any threat to its oil sites and shipping routes can affect energy markets far beyond the region.

For now, it is unclear whether Sheikh Mansour will accept the invitation. The UAE has not yet given a public answer in the information available.

Still, the offer is a clear signal. After months of tension, Riyadh has chosen to reach out openly, and it may be seeking Abu Dhabi’s support at a difficult moment.

Observers will now watch closely. A meeting between the two sides could ease tensions and open the door to closer cooperation on Yemen.