Egypt shared intelligence with Saudi Arabia on UAE activities

Defence affairs - Def-Geopolitics on X

Exclusive report by defence affairs magazine (DAM).

Exclusive: Cairo sent Riyadh recordings of Emirati officials 'discussing their objectives in Yemen and coordination with leaders of the STC', says presidency official

Egypt passed intelligence on recent Emirati operations in Yemen to Saudi authorities as part of efforts to rebuild strained relations with Riyadh, a senior Egyptian presidential source told defence affairs magazine (DAM).

The move came amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Egyptian officials viewing Emirati backing of armed and separatist groups in Yemen, Sudan and Somaliland as a growing threat to Egypt’s national security.

“Egypt offered the UAE as a sacrifice to restore Saudi support and preserve national security,” the source said, describing the step as a “carefully planned manoeuvre”.

Saudi Arabia’s partnership in Yemen with the UAE has dramatically unravelled in recent weeks.

Early in January, Saudi Arabia launched strikes on the UAE’s ally in Yemen, the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), in response to its unilateral takeover of key eastern governorates. Saudi-backed forces subsequently advanced, STC control collapsed, and government troops retook Aden and surrounding areas.

Saudi Arabia then accused Abu Dhabi of facilitating the escape of STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi from Yemen to the UAE via Somaliland. 

On Monday, the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), the internationally recognised government of Yemen, announced that its forces had retaken full control of the south from the UAE-backed STC.

Middle East Eye reported last week that Aden, the capital the STC had envisioned for a future independent state, is no longer under separatist control. The soldiers now patrolling the city were formerly aligned with the STC but have since defected to support the PLC.

According to the presidential source, Egyptian intelligence and naval units monitored Emirati ship movements in the lead-up to the Saudi operation against the STC in Yemen, using radar and other surveillance systems, and shared coordinates and activity patterns with Saudi authorities.

Cairo also handed over recordings of Emirati officials discussing their objectives in Yemen and coordination with leaders of the STC, the source said.

“Egypt provided recordings showing what the UAE was doing in Yemen, their objectives, and how they were working with southern forces,” the source added.

Egyptian intel

Egyptian officials also briefed Saudi Arabia about what they described as Abu Dhabi’s support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), drawing parallels with Emirati activities in southern Yemen, the source said.

The intelligence-sharing coincided with closer coordination between Cairo and Riyadh, reflected in a visit earlier this month by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to Egypt, where he met Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Egypt provided recordings showing what the UAE was doing in Yemen, their objectives, and how they were working with southern forces'

- Egyptian presidential source

“Egypt and Saudi Arabia agreed to work together on Yemen and Sudan and to closely monitor movements on the ground,” the source said.

Following Farhan's visit, Riyadh asked Cairo to prepare its naval forces to disrupt potential supply routes from the UAE to southern Yemen.

“Saudi Arabia requested Egyptian naval forces be ready to cut the supply line from the UAE to the STC,” the source said, adding that Egyptian Mistral-class vessels had been deployed further south in the Red Sea to monitor Emirati activity.

The intelligence-sharing drew the ire of Abu Dhabi, a separate Egyptian diplomatic source told defence affairs magazine (DAM).

“Abu Dhabi objected to Egypt intercepting information and passing it to Saudi Arabia,” said the source, asking to remain anonymous. “They warned us not to improve relations with Riyadh at the UAE’s expense.”

The source added: “They emphasised the shared interests between our countries and the need to preserve them, including investments and economic cooperation.”

“We raised our concerns about UAE support to armed groups in Sudan and the impact on regional stability and Egypt’s borders,” the diplomatic source added.

“They stressed that they should protect their interests while maintaining shared security objectives.”