Ethiopia’s Tigray war: Where do the UAE and Saudi Arabia stand?
The Tigray conflict puts the UAE’s backing of Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic role under scrutiny.
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Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Cairo on June 8, 2026, to discuss bilateral cooperation, Horn of Africa developments and Red Sea security.
"President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Cairo on June 8, 2026."
In November 2025, Chatham House reported that Riyadh had offered to mediate between Ethiopia and Eritrea amid rising tensions over maritime access and regional security.
"In November 2025, Chatham House reported that sources said Riyadh had offered to mediate between the two countries amid rising tensions over maritime access and regional security."
Dubai Ports World (DP World) operates Berbera port in Somaliland.
"Dubai Ports World (DP World) operates Berbera port in Somaliland, and a shipping route launched in 2025 connects the port with Jebel Ali in the UAE, providing an additional corridor for cargo serving inland destinations, such as Ethiopia."
Eritrea denies Ethiopia's allegations of sending troops across the border and has called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene.
"Eritrea denies the allegations and has called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene."
In September, Ethiopia's army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula accused Egypt and Sudan of supporting armed groups fighting the federal government, including the TPLF.
"In September, Ethiopia's army chief, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, accused Egypt and Sudan of supporting armed groups fighting the federal government, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF)."
Saudi Arabia has not publicly commented on the renewed war in Tigray, according to an October 1 analysis by Critical Threats.
"The kingdom has not publicly commented on the renewed war, according to an October 1 analysis by Critical Threats, although it undertook diplomatic efforts earlier this year to reduce tensions between Ethiopia's federal government and the TPLF."
On September 25, the UAE condemned attacks by the TPLF and its allied armed groups against Ethiopian federal forces.
"On September 25, the UAE condemned attacks by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allied armed groups against Ethiopian federal forces, the seizure of airports in Tigray and the escalation in the neighbouring regions of Afar and Amhara."
Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan expressed solidarity with Ethiopia's government and people and reaffirmed support for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, the UAE minister of state, expressed solidarity with Ethiopia's government and people, reaffirmed support for the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and called for an end to hostilities, the protection of civilians and adherence to the Pretoria Agreement."