Senior officials from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) posted mutual messages of solidarity and brotherhood on the X platform after the Houthis in Yemen threatened Riyadh.
In simultaneous posts made at 18:00 Saudi time on Tuesday, the strength of relations between the two Gulf countries was highlighted.
Saudi Minister: Our relations are based on shared history and heritage
Saudi Information Minister Salman al-Dosari said in his post: "The relationship between the Kingdom and the UAE is a relationship between two peoples united by a common history and heritage. The wise leadership in both countries is guiding their peoples in line with promising development visions."
Al-Dosari noted that the role of responsible media is to stand against anyone trying to paint a misleading picture of relations between the two countries and to verify the accuracy of published news.
UAE official: Our destiny is one
At the same time, UAE National Media Office Chairman Abdullah Al Hamid stated: "UAE-Saudi relations are an extension of the shared history and deep-rooted fraternal bonds between two brotherly peoples united by a common destiny."
Al Hamid said these relations are strengthened "by the wise leadership in both countries, with close coordination and a clear vision towards a future that will bring goodness to our peoples and our region." He added that responsible media must reflect this reality objectively and stand against any attempts to harm it.
Al-Sheikh shares photo of ministers
About an hour before these posts, Saudi General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Al-Sheikh posted a photo on his X account showing Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and UAE Vice President Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan together.
Al-Sheikh said the photo was taken a few days ago, adding: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the story of brotherly relations and a deep-rooted partnership."
UAE Presidential Diplomatic Adviser Anwar Gargash also reposted the same photo, attaching a line of poetry: "Spears resist breaking when they come together, but when they separate, they break one by one."
The posts received wide engagement from users in both countries, praising Saudi-UAE relations.
Houthi threat and UAE condemnation
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree announced on Monday a "maritime navigation ban" against Saudi Arabia, claiming that Riyadh was imposing a blockade on areas under the group's control in Yemen.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the threat in a statement issued on Tuesday evening, calling on the international community to ensure the implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The ministry specifically highlighted Resolution 2216, which calls for the Houthis to withdraw from areas they control, and Resolution 2722, concerning navigation rights and freedoms in the Red Sea. It stressed that freedom of navigation in international waterways is a right guaranteed by international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The UAE reiterated its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and affirmed its support for everything that protects its security.
Differences over the Yemen file
In recent months, relations between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have occasionally been strained due to differing approaches to the Yemen file. On December 30, 2025, Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of pushing the dissolved Southern Transitional Council forces in Yemen to carry out military operations in the eastern governorates of Hadramawt and Mahra, near the Saudi border.
At the time, the UAE denied the accusation as well as claims that it had sent weapons shipments to the separatist council forces, explaining that the shipment in question was for its remaining troops in Yemen and announcing that it had withdrawn those forces.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said in a statement last January that relations with the UAE are "extremely important and a fundamental element in the stability of the region," but he also acknowledged that there are differences between the two countries over the Yemen file. Bin Farhan stated that the UAE had decided to withdraw from Yemen and that Saudi Arabia would assume responsibility.
The UAE was a member of the coalition formed in 2015 under Saudi leadership to support the Yemeni government against the Houthis, who have controlled many governorates and cities, including the capital Sanaa, since September 2014.
