ABU DHABI — Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, and the public record of the talks is mostly declarations of unity.
The setting is a Saudi capital whose airport has been targeted repeatedly. The National counts 20 Houthi strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport since October 1 and puts the toll of the Riyadh airport attack on October 10 at 13 dead and 308 wounded. It does not say who compiled the figures.
Prince Khalid wrote on X that the two sides “underscored the depth of the fraternal and historic ties between our two nations, discussed regional developments, and explored ways to strengthen cooperation and joint Gulf action,” Arab News reported.
The UAE’s state news agency WAM said the president and the minister exchanged views “with the aim of contributing to strengthening security and stability and achieving lasting peace in the region,” The National reported. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the UAE vice president, and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s deputy ruler and national security adviser, also attended.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, wrote on X that “our security and destiny are shared, and our partnership is one of the pillars of Gulf stability and prosperity, while the wisdom of the two leaderships and the sincerity of positions in times of adversity provide the most eloquent response to every bet against that.” The National’s account does not say whose bets he meant.
Sheikh Mansour had already travelled the other way. In late September he went to Riyadh at Prince Khalid’s invitation and met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, The National reported at the time.
What the readouts leave out is the substance. Neither Prince Khalid’s post nor the WAM statement, as quoted, mentions the Houthis, the airport or any joint military step. Arab News reports that the minister also met Sheikh Mansour and that the sides discussed “the importance of continued coordination and consultation on issues of mutual interest.” Neither outlet gives a time for the meeting, and none of the accounts says what “joint Gulf action” would involve.
