In a fascinating revelation from declassified British documents, it has emerged that Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), sought U.S. intervention to curb Saudi Arabia’s territorial claims against the Gulf States. The documents, now available to the public, shine a new light on the strained relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, illustrating the deep mistrust that existed between the two oil-rich neighbors.
A Legacy of Territorial Disputes
The territorial tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been a long-standing issue. Since the formation of the UAE in 1971, the Gulf state has been embroiled in disputes with its larger neighbor, particularly over the control of valuable land and resources in the region. One of the most significant of these disputes centered around the Al-Buraimi Oasis, an oil-rich area located between northwestern Oman and the UAE.
In 1974, both countries signed the Jeddah Treaty, which was supposed to resolve these territorial disagreements. Under the treaty, Saudi Arabia recognized the UAE as an independent state and relinquished part of its claims over the Al-Buraimi Oasis. In return, Riyadh gained control of Al-Huwaisat Island and the revenues from the Shaybah oil fields, which extend into UAE territory.
Despite the signing of the treaty, tensions continued. The UAE never formally ratified the Jeddah Treaty, citing discrepancies between the oral agreements made and the written terms outlined in the treaty itself. Over the years, the UAE repeatedly sought to renegotiate the agreement, further complicating the relationship between the two countries.
Sheikh Zayed’s Diplomatic Strategy
The new documents reveal that, during this period of rising tension, Sheikh Zayed sought outside help to address the growing territorial concerns. Alarmed by Saudi territorial ambitions, the Emir of Abu Dhabi, and de facto ruler of the UAE, turned to the United States, requesting its intervention in stopping Saudi Arabia from pressing further territorial claims on its Gulf neighbors.
Sheikh Zayed’s request was not just a reaction to the territorial disputes but also a reflection of the deep mistrust he harbored towards the Saudi leadership. The British documents, which date back to the 1970s, shed light on how Sheikh Zayed viewed Saudi Arabia’s regional ambitions as a threat not just to the UAE, but to the broader stability of the Gulf region.
A Changing Dynamic in the Gulf
Tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia have continued to simmer in recent years, despite their shared goals of economic development and political stability in the Gulf. The most recent point of contention came in the form of the UAE’s unilateral decision to demarcate its maritime borders, a move that Riyadh strongly rejected. Saudi officials viewed this as a violation of the Jeddah Treaty, reigniting old wounds between the two countries.
In addition to this, the UAE’s decision to make such a move without consulting Saudi Arabia has been seen by many analysts as an attempt to assert greater independence within the region. The UAE’s growing ties with Western powers, particularly the United States, have also been a source of concern for Saudi Arabia, which has historically seen itself as the dominant power in the Gulf.
Despite these disagreements, both countries have managed to maintain a generally stable relationship. However, these newly revealed details of Sheikh Zayed’s diplomatic efforts to seek U.S. intervention highlight the fragility of this relationship and the ongoing complexities of Gulf geopolitics.
A Window into Gulf Politics
The British documents offer a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering of one of the Middle East’s most powerful figures. Sheikh Zayed’s plea for U.S. intervention reveals not only his concerns about Saudi Arabia but also the broader dynamics of Gulf politics during this period.
At the time, the U.S. was a key ally of both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and its intervention could have played a significant role in stabilizing the region. However, it is unclear whether the U.S. ever responded directly to Sheikh Zayed’s request, and the nature of any American involvement remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that this moment in Gulf history marked a turning point in the way the UAE navigated its relationship with Saudi Arabia and the broader geopolitical landscape of the region.
These revelations also shed light on the broader dynamics of territorial disputes in the Middle East, where borders have often been fluid, and historical claims continue to shape contemporary relations between countries. While the UAE and Saudi Arabia have managed to avoid major conflict, the tension between them, fueled by territorial disagreements and political rivalries, is a reminder of the fragile alliances that define the region’s geopolitics.
