Trump's Call Ignites Saudi-UAE Rift: From Quiet Rivalry to Open Conflict

• A phone call from Donald Trump to Mohammed bin Zayed reportedly escalated a subtle Saudi-UAE rivalry into an overt conflict.
• Emirati officials claim Trump conveyed a request from Mohammed bin Salman for sanctions related to Sudan, which Abu Dhabi viewed as highly provocative.
• Saudi and US officials dispute this, stating the request was for sanctions on Sudanese armed factions, not directly on the Emirates.
• The core dispute centers on Sudan's civil war, with Saudi Arabia supporting Sudanese armed forces and the UAE perceived as backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• The rift has extended to Yemen, where an Emirati-supported faction's offensive near the Saudi border led to Saudi retaliation and the UAE's withdrawal of forces.