Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Feb 27: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had urged US President Donald Trump to consider sanctions linked to alleged Emirati support for an armed group fighting in Sudan’s civil war, the New York Times reported, triggering tensions between two key Gulf allies.
According to the report, the request was made during Prince Mohammed’s visit to the White House in November. However, accounts of the conversation differ. A Saudi official said the Crown Prince did not seek sanctions directly against the United Arab Emirates, but instead asked for additional measures targeting the Sudanese paramilitary group to prevent it from receiving external backing. A US official also maintained that Prince Mohammed never asked Trump to sanction the Emirates.
Despite the conflicting versions, the fallout was swift. Emirati officials were reportedly angered after Trump relayed details of the discussion, believing Saudi Arabia had sought punitive measures against them. Relations between the two oil-rich neighbours deteriorated sharply, with tensions spilling into other regional theatres, including Yemen.
Sudan’s civil war, ongoing since 2023, has pitted the Sudanese armed forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which the Emirates has allegedly supported. UN-backed experts recently said the RSF’s actions in Darfur bore the “hallmarks of genocide.” The Emirati government has categorically denied providing material support to the RSF, stating that its role is limited to humanitarian aid and ceasefire efforts.
The discord marks a significant shift in ties between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, once close partners in regional initiatives, including the intervention in Yemen and the diplomatic isolation of Qatar. In recent years, however, diverging foreign policy priorities and economic ambitions have strained the relationship.
The rift presents a diplomatic challenge for the Trump administration, which seeks cooperation from both Gulf powers on broader Middle East issues, including Gaza and Iran. While Trump has said he could easily help resolve tensions between the two nations, his administration has so far avoided publicly taking sides.