United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain announced plans to restore diplomatic ties with Qatar, concluding process to end almost six-year intra-Gulf rift.

UAE and Bahrain announced plans to re-establish formal relations with Qatar. Bahrain and Qatar 13 April revealed intention to restore diplomatic ties after pair held second round of dialogue at Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh. Shortly after, UAE and Qatari officials 18 April told reporters both countries were working to reopen embassies and restore ties; Bahrain and UAE, along with Saudi Arabia and Egypt, severed ties with Qatar and imposed blockade in June 2017, marking beginning of tense intra-Gulf confrontation lasting until 2021. While announcements mark full resumption of ties between Qatar and all former blockading states, signalling entire GCC’s intent to turn page after 2017-2021 rift, tensions and friction points continue to plague intra-GCC relations, including economic competition between Saudi Arabia and UAE as well as disputes between UAE and Qatar over latter’s alleged ties to Islamists in region. Meanwhile, Iran 4 April announced appointment of ambassador to UAE – filling position that had been vacant since 2016.

Huthis in Yemen launched largest attack on country to date, killing three people. After United Arab Emirates (UAE)-aligned forces in Yemen seized territory in north-western Shebwa governorate (see Yemen), Huthis carried out attacks on UAE. Huthis 2 Jan seized Emirati vessel in Red Sea and 17 Jan claimed attack targeting industrial facility in Musaffah and extension of airport in capital Abu Dhabi, killing three and injuring six; Huthis 24 Jan targeted Dhafra air base hosting U.S. military in UAE. Attacks come after increasing visibility of Emirati role in Yemen as reports have indicated in recent weeks that UAE has stepped up air operations and support to anti-Huthi groups, despite previous 2019 UAE announcement of withdrawal from conflict. Authorities 31 Jan said they had intercepted missile fired by Huthis from Yemen. Attack came as Israeli President Herzog 30-31 Jan travelled to UAE in first ever visit by Israeli president and discussed security and bilateral relations with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

UAE took steps to improve relations with main regional rivals Tur-key and Qatar. In effort to de-escalate regional tensions and focus on economic growth, UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan 18 Aug met with Turkish President Erdoğan in Turkish capital Ankara; Erdoğan same day announced prospect of “serious” UAE investments in Turkey and said he was open to meeting with UAE’s de facto ruler Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Erdoğan’s office 31 Aug announced Erdoğan and Al Nahyan had spoken by phone about bilateral relations and regional issues; UAE presidential diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash same day commented call “very positive and friendly”. In first visit of senior Emirati official to Qatar since resumption of diplomatic ties in Jan, Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan 26 Aug headed delegation visiting Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Qatari capital Doha; discussions included bilateral relations, enhancing economic and trade cooperation and investment projects.

Country signed reconciliation deal to end three-and-a-half-year intra-Gulf dispute. United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Bahrain agreed to reopen their land, air and sea borders with Qatar after all four states and Egypt 5 Jan signed al-Ula Declaration at Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh; agreement ends three-and-a-half-year blockade of Doha by three neighbouring states and Egypt who cut ties with Qatar in July 2017. U.S. 26 Jan announced temporary pause on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE; U.S. Sec State Anthony Blinken same day said administration wanted to ensure proposed sales “advances our strategic objectives”. Italy 29 Jan halted “export of missiles and bombs” to Saudi Arabia and UAE, saying “respect for human rights is an unbreakable commitment.” 

Country signed historic normalisation deal with Israel. United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain 15 Sept signed bilateral normalisation agreements with Israel at White House ceremony in Washington DC, U.S.; deal paves way for greater cooperation between two Gulf states and Israel in areas of defence, tourism, trade, and cybersecurity. 

United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached historic deal with Israel to normalise relations. Israel and UAE 13 Aug signed U.S.-brokered deal with UAE agreeing to full normalisation of relations with Israel in return for “suspension” of West Bank annexation. Deal paves way for two states to exchange ambassadors and initiate open cooperation in areas of security, tourism, trade and healthcare; agreement makes UAE fourth Arab country (after Egypt, Jordan and Mauritania) to formally recognise Israel. Iranian President Rouhani 15 Aug described normalisation of Israel-UAE relations as “a big mistake” and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps same day warned UAE of “dangerous future”; UAE next day summoned Iranian envoy to Abu Dhabi. Emirati coast guard 17 Aug opened fire on Iranian fishermen, killing two; Iran same day seized Emirati vessel for “illegally entering Iranian waters” and 18 Aug summoned UAE’s envoy to Tehran over fishermen’s killing. In rare display of unity, UAE along with five other members of Gulf Cooperation Council 10 Aug urged UN Security Council to extend arms embargo on Iran following visit by U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Brian Hook to region.

Amid govt shakeup, tensions persisted between United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, on one hand, and Qatar, on the other. As economic challenges increased due to COVID-19 pandemic and oil price collapse, PM Mohammed Al-Maktoum 5 July announced govt overhaul aimed at facilitating “quicker and more efficient decision-making”; changes include merger of some of country’s largest ministries, including Ministry of Energy with Ministry of Infrastructure. Meanwhile, UAE early July obstructed U.S.-backed talks between Qatar and blockading Gulf states UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt on resolution of Gulf crisis; UAE reportedly urged Saudi Arabia to follow suit. International Court of Justice 14 July rejected Gulf states’ appeal to overturn International Civil Aviation Organisation’s decision to hear Qatar’s case regarding closure of airspace to Qatari civil aviation. UAE, U.S. and five other Gulf states 15 July imposed sanctions on six targets accused of providing financial support to Islamic State (ISIS) leadership in Iraq and Syria. UAE 20 July launched spacecraft from Japan bound for Mars; first interplanetary mission in Arab world.

New signs emerged of apparent ongoing warming relations between United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel. UAE 9 June sent second shipment of COVID-19 aid to Palestinian territories via Israeli airport after Palestinian Authority (PA) had rejected aid in May on grounds of “normalisation” with Israel; PA 10 June again condemned UAE’s move. Yousef al-Otaiba, UAE ambassador to U.S., 12 June published op-ed in Israeli news outlet, warning Israeli annexation of West Bank would jeopardise Israel’s efforts to improve relations with Arab countries; first time Arab diplomat publicly acknowledged warming ties between Israel and UAE. Israeli PM Netanyahu 25 June announced new cooperative effort between UAE and Israeli companies to jointly develop research and technology to fight COVID-19, stating agreement was “the result of extensive and intensive contacts in recent months”; UAE Foreign Ministry same day confirmed initiative.

After repatriation of Pakistani citizens from United Arab Emirates (UAE) began late April, Pakistani govt early May voiced concern that many citizens returned home testing positive for COVID-19, with some flights reporting 50% infection rate; UAE denied claims, warning it could review labour ties with states refusing to take back their nationals. Amid ongoing tensions between UAE and Turkey, UAE 11 May issued joint statement with Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and France condemning “Turkey’s military interference in Libya”; in response, Turkey’s FM Cavusoglu next day accused UAE of sowing chaos in Middle East, notably in Libya and Yemen. UAE 19 May sent COVID-19 aid bound for Palestinian territories via Israeli airport, marking first direct flight between UAE and Israel; PA 21 May rejected move as “cover for normalisation” of relations with Israel.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, United Arab Emirates (UAE) helped dispatch aid to several countries, including Iran. As part of efforts to combat COVID-19, UAE throughout month helped channel aid to several countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia and Botswana; humanitarian gestures followed late-March telephone call between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed and Syrian President al-Assad, which had marked first contact between Arab leader and al-Assad since start of Syria’s civil war in 2011, and during which UAE had offered to dispatch aid to support Syria’s efforts to combat COVID-19 pandemic. After UAE helped channel aid to Iran in March, Iran FM Seyed Abbas Mousavi 6 April responded that COVID-19 response had brought “more reason and logic” to bilateral relationship. Govt 12 April reached agreement with Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil-producing countries to reduce global oil production by 9.7mn barrels a day after oil price war between Saudi-Arabia and Russia broke out early March. To slow spread of COVID-19, govt 17 April announced extension of 24-hour curfew in Dubai city, repatriation of thousands of foreign workers back to home countries and warned that it will review labour ties with countries refusing to take back citizens; Govt 22 April said UAE and Pakistan deepened cooperation over repatriation of Pakistani citizens.