A highway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 9, 2026, with the city skyline in the background. (Credit: Isabel Infantes/Reuters) Traffic moves on a road, with the city's skyline visible in the background, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 9, 2026. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
Bahrain and Egypt are seeking to ease tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two sources told AFP, after disagreements between the Gulf heavyweights surfaced publicly in December.
“Bahrain is leading mediation efforts between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to end the ongoing misunderstanding,” a Gulf official said, requesting anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The aim is to “bridge the gap and bring viewpoints closer together,” the official added.
“This is a Gulf matter and must be resolved within the Gulf,” the official said, stressing that it was “a Bahraini initiative and not a step by the GCC,” a reference to the Gulf Cooperation Council.
A regional source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cairo was likewise working to narrow differences.
“Egypt is playing a mediating role and relaying messages between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates,” the source said.
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi traded accusations publicly at the end of 2025, when Saudi Arabia said its neighbor was threatening its security by backing Yemeni separatists who briefly seized territory near the kingdom’s borders.
However, a source close to the Saudi government said there was “no need for mediation,” noting that direct channels between the two countries remained open. While relations have not been severed, there has been no high-level diplomatic contact since the last week of December, several sources told AFP.
This week, Bahrain’s crown prince and prime minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi.
On Jan. 5, the Saudi foreign minister met in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, and President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. Abdelatty then contacted UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed the following day. According to the same source, Egypt subsequently passed Saudi messages to the Emiratis.
When contacted by AFP, authorities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain either did not respond or declined to comment.
Humanitarian convoy reaches Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibil despite obstacles
