Tigray Conflict: UAE and Saudi Arabia Under Scrutiny for Their Role in Ethiopia Crisis

The renewed fighting in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia has heightened concerns about the stability of the Horn of Africa, with the role of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in the situation in Ethiopia attracting the attention of regional politicians and analysts.

These two Gulf countries have strategic interests in the Horn of Africa, however, their positions regarding the Ethiopian crisis differ.

The UAE has clearly expressed its support for the federal government of Ethiopia, while Saudi Arabia has not yet officially commented on the new fighting, although it has previously participated in diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving regional conflicts.

These battles threaten the Pretoria peace agreement signed in November 2022, which ended the conflict between the federal government of Ethiopia and the Tigray forces.

The escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea are also increasing concerns that the current conflict may escalate into a broader confrontation affecting other countries in the region.

On September 25, 2026, the United Arab Emirates condemned attacks it claimed were launched by the TPLF and armed groups allied with it against the federal forces of Ethiopia, and the seizure of airports located in Tigray. The UAE also expressed concern over the fighting spreading to neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar.

The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, expressed support for the government and people of Ethiopia, emphasizing his country's support for Ethiopia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

} He also called for an end to the conflicts, the protection of civilians, and respect for the peace agreement in Pretoria.

This position indicates that Abu Dhabi supports the federal government of Ethiopia, while also calling for the de-escalation of tensions and dialogue.

The UAE's statement does not clarify whether it is providing military assistance to the Ethiopian government related to the new conflicts, and there is no public information confirming that it has been able to persuade the warring parties to cease hostilities.

The UAE has significant economic and business interests in the Horn of Africa, with Dubai's DP World managing the port of Berbera in Somalia, and a shipping route connecting Berbera and the UAE's Jebel Ali port was launched in 2025.

This connection could create a trade route serving the domestic markets of the region, including Ethiopia, which lacks a coast to directly receive goods.

Since Eritrea gained independence in 1993, Ethiopia has heavily relied on the ports of Djibouti to engage with global markets, and this situation is part of the reasons Addis Ababa places importance on maritime routes and its relations with neighboring countries.

On the Saudi Arabian side, there has been no official statement regarding the new conflicts in Tigray, but the kingdom has previously participated in efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and other regional parties.

In November 2025, a report released by the Chatham House research center stated that informed sources indicated that Saudi Arabia had offered mediation between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as tensions regarding maritime routes and regional security escalated.

An analysis published by the German Institute SWP in June 2026 pointed out that previous mediation efforts had failed, with one of the major obstacles being the inability to fully negotiate Ethiopia's interests regarding the Eritrean port of Assab.

Saudi Arabia places particular importance on the security of the Red Sea, which is a crucial route for international trade and the kingdom's oil exports.

Analytical reports also indicated that Saudi Arabia and Egypt have some security interests that align with Eritrea's position, especially concerning Ethiopia's ambitions to access the Red Sea, but this does not clarify whether Saudi Arabia is providing military support to Eritrea or the TPLF in the ongoing conflicts.