Best of frenemies: Saudi, UAE rivalry bursts into viewListen to this articleA photograph shows military vehicles, allegedly sent by the UAE to support separatist forces, that were damaged in an air strike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. (Photo: AFP)DOHA — For years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia projected geopolitical and economic power across the Gulf and beyond, seemingly in tandem. Saudi Arabia is also keen to hold on to what it considers its own regional preeminence. Abu Dhabi has been widely accused of arming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been fighting Sudan's regular army since April 2023. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has sought to bolster Mogadishu.

Source: Bangkok Post January 02, 2026 08:26 UTC