Egypt Hands Riyadh “Sensitive Recordings” on Abu Dhabi’s Moves in Yemen; Maritime Coordination to Cut Supply Lines
High-level sources have revealed a notable development in Egyptian-Saudi relations, with Cairo providing Riyadh with detailed intelligence and audio recordings related to the United Arab Emirates’ field activities in Yemen, as part of broad security coordination aimed at restoring stability in Yemen and unifying the internal front against partition efforts.
According to a report published by Middle East Eye, Egyptian intelligence shared with its Saudi counterpart radar data tracking the movements of Emirati vessels, in addition to “recordings of Emirati officials” discussing their objectives in Yemen and the details of their coordination with leaders of the Southern Transitional Council. An Egyptian presidential source described the move as a “calculated maneuver” to bolster national security and reinvigorate relations with the Kingdom.
Sources indicated that this intelligence cooperation coincided with a formal Saudi request for Cairo to place its naval forces on alert to cut any potential supply lines from the UAE to separatist factions in southern Yemen. Egyptian naval vessels, including Mistral-class ships, have reportedly been observed in the southern Red Sea to closely monitor the situation.
On the economic front, this shift has cast a shadow over acquisition deals, as the Egyptian leadership issued directives to halt the sale of additional stakes in the Alexandria Container & Cargo Handling Company to a UAE-based logistics firm, despite prior approvals—signaling a clear reassessment of strategic priorities.
This Egyptian-Saudi rapprochement reportedly angered Abu Dhabi, which objected through diplomatic channels to the sharing of information, warning against improving relations with Riyadh “at the expense of Emirati interests.” Meanwhile, Cairo and Riyadh affirm the alignment of their views on the necessity of preserving the unity of Yemen and Sudan and preventing the fragmentation of states in the region.
