In a controversial investigative piece titled “Ten Stabs from Abu Dhabi in Cairo’s Back,” Saudi international relations researcher Salman Al-Ansari published an article on January 26, 2026, revealing what he described as dramatic shifts in the regional landscape, reaching the level of direct but undeclared military confrontation.
Incidents of Strikes and Deterrence
At the start of his article, Al-Ansari details an incident on January 9, 2026, in which Egyptian forces reportedly struck Emirati weapons and armored vehicles in the “border triangle” linking Egypt, Sudan, and Libya. The writer says the Egyptian move was a strong deterrence message, coming just ten days after Saudi forces reportedly took a similar step on December 30, 2025, targeting Emirati military reinforcements at Yemen’s Mukalla port.
The Narrative of the “Ten Stabs”
Al-Ansari goes on to argue that relations between Cairo and Abu Dhabi have never been as harmonious as publicly portrayed, accusing the latter of what he described as “political manipulation.” He claims Abu Dhabi delivered a series of strategic “stabs” to Cairo over the past decade, including:
- Supporting the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: By injecting billions of dollars into Ethiopia to protect a project that threatens Egypt’s water security.
- Fragmenting the Neighborhood: By supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan and undermining Somali sovereignty, which he says prompted Mogadishu to cancel its agreements with the UAE on January 12, 2026.
- Strangling the Canal: By attempting to dominate maritime corridors from Bab al-Mandeb to East Africa to threaten the strategic standing of the Suez Canal.
- Soft Penetration: Through media networks and funding efforts aimed at diminishing Egyptian sovereign decision-making.
Economics as a Tool of Leverage
From an economic perspective, Al-Ansari argues that major projects such as Ras El-Hekma shifted from investment deals into what he described as a form of “insurance policy” or political leverage, used by Abu Dhabi to neutralize Egypt’s position toward its regional actions — something he claims Cairo has recognized, prompting it to draw practical red lines.
Conclusion
Al-Ansari concludes with an optimistic outlook, stating that the “two wings” (Egypt and Saudi Arabia) have finally spread their wings to protect Arab national security. He describes the current conflict as an inevitable clash between the concept of the “sovereign state” and the “functional state,” which he characterizes as acting as an agent for narrow interests. He added that the era of Egyptian silence in the face of threats to national security is over.
