Saudi state television has threatened to take unprecedented measures against the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of continuing to act against the interests of the Kingdom.
In a report carrying a threatening tone broadcast by the official Al Ekhbariya channel, the Kingdom said it would not hesitate to take the necessary steps and measures against anyone who undermines or threatens its national security, hinting that potential actions could be taken soon.
The report accused the Abu Dhabi government of moving in a direction contrary to repeated Saudi calls to preserve bilateral relations, asserting that it had “organised the smuggling of Yemeni fugitive Adros al Zubaidi and paid financial sums to him and his followers to incite against the Kingdom”.
Saudi television stated that this incitement included accusing Riyadh of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and enabling al Qaeda, in addition to media claims that members of the southern delegation hosted in Riyadh were being detained.
According to the report, the Abu Dhabi government faces accusations from Yemenis of “organising and funding escalatory movements and demonstrations in Aden”, intending to undermine the “southern southern” dialogue that was scheduled to be held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
The final warning
Saudi television explained that the statement issued by the Council of Ministers last December amounted to a “final call from the Kingdom” to halt any military or financial support for any party in Yemen.
The report confirmed that despite three weeks having passed since that statement, Abu Dhabi continues to “persist in inciting against the Kingdom”, prompting Riyadh to signal the adoption of deterrent measures to protect its national security.
This threat follows Saudi Arabia’s explicit accusation of the UAE of smuggling Adros al Zubaidi out of Aden and attempting to obstruct the Yemeni Yemeni agreement, which stipulated the dissolution of the Southern Transitional Council and the creation of a pathway towards an agreement on the issue of southern Yemen.
