Saudi Arabia and UAE (United Arab Emirates) have been dominant in the Gulf countries since the beginning. These two Sunni Muslim majority countries have a huge stature in the entire Middle East. Both these countries have been each other’s closest and most trusted partners for a long time. But today the situation has changed and now both of them seem to be becoming enemies of each other. There is tension going on between these two countries on the issue of Yemen.

what is the latest incident
These two countries are fighting among themselves on the soil of Yemen. On Tuesday (December 30), Saudi Arabia carried out an airstrike on an arms consignment belonging to the UAE in Yemen. Saudi army bombed Yemen’s southern port city of Mukalla. The situation has become so severe that the Saudi-backed government of Yemen has given the UAE army an ultimatum of 24 hours to leave the country. After this UAE also withdrew its army. The UAE Defense Ministry has issued a statement saying that it will also end its remaining military presence in Yemen.

Saudi and UAE friendship
Ever since UAE came into existence, Saudi Arabia has been its supporter. Let us tell you that both these countries are Sunni Muslim majority and have monarchical system and the economy of both is dependent on oil. The friendship between the two countries has remained very strong due to the concern over Iran’s growing influence in the Gulf. The friendship between the two countries was at its peak in the early 2010s. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and UAE Ruler Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) remained united against Islamic fundamentalism and Iran. In 2011, the United Arab Emirates and the UAE formed a united front against Islamic movements. Sent joint forces to suppress the rebellion in Bahrain and played an important role in the military ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt in 2013.

how relationships deteriorated
On December 30, 2025, the Saudi Arabia-led coalition carried out an airstrike on Yemen’s southern port Mukalla. Saudi Arabia claims they targeted a dock that was being used to deliver foreign military aid to UAE-backed separatists. Saudi clearly said that this attack was carried out on an arms consignment belonging to UAE. The UAE rejected Saudi Arabia’s claims and said that the consignment that was attacked did not contain any weapons, but was supplies and equipment for the UAE army.

real reason for enmity
Both the countries now want to move ahead with the oil economy. UAE’s vision started before 2021 (since 2008). He made his city Dubai a global hub. Saudi’s Vision 2030 is now challenging the UAE. Saudi’s Neom City, Riyadh Air, Jeddah Port are now about to become global hubs. From the year 2021, Saudi has imposed restrictions on imports from UAE free zones. There is a competition between Mohammed bin Salman and Mohammed bin Zayed to become the leader of the Gulf countries. Let us tell you that UAE supports the southern separatists in Yemen and the Saudi government. Whereas in Sudan, UAE is with RSF while Saudi is with SAF. Even in Libya and Egypt, both support different groups.

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Like the Schengen Visa System of Europe, all the 6 countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will soon be traveled with a visa. GCC is going to start testing single integrated tourist visa this year. After this, there will be no need to take separate visas to roam in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Indians will directly benefit the single integrated tourist visa, as a large number of people from India go to these countries of Arabs for employment and tourism. Abdullah bin Tauk al Marri, the UAE economy minister and president of the Emirates Tourism Council, confirmed this pilot project during World Tourism Day 2025.

‘Pilot will be fully implemented after phase’
In an interview to UAE’s news agency WAM, Al Marri said that this visa system will be fully implemented after the pilot phase. It is being called GCC Grand Tourist Visa. The official launch date of this visa has not been announced yet. The integrated GCC tourist visa YajiCC Grand Tourist Visa is based on Europe’s Schengen visa system, which allows travelers to move freely in many countries using the same permit.

You will get rid of repeated paperwork
The UAE government says that this visa is a strategic step towards regional integration. It will increase collective attraction as a single tourist destination of the Gulf region. The countries of GCC have made this policy change at a time when they are trying to expand tourism and infrastructure. The integrated visa will eliminate frequent paperwork and many applications.

Abdullah bin Tauk al Marri has said that the integrated visa has received formal approval. Hopefully it will be implemented soon. Although no fixed date for its complete implementation has been given yet, the authorities have consistently indicated that it is expected to start soon.

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In order to prevent Iran from being rich, its important nuclear installations were attacked by Israel. After this, there is a tremendous tension in the Middle East due to the landing of America in the war. As a counter -step step from Iran, the US air base and Israel are being hit strongly. Amidst all this, the neighboring country of Iran has announced that, as has never happened in the middle East. Till date, no country of Middle East has ever taken any such step, whether it should do Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia or UAE. In such a situation, let us tell which country of the Gulf and what he has announced.

What happened?

Actually, Oman is a neighbor of Iran. He has decided to implement the Income Tax Act here, which will become the first country in the Middle East to do the same country in the Middle East. Oman’s economy minister Saeed bin Mohammad Al Sakri says that its aim is to gradually reduce the dependency above the oil income, preserving social expenses. Quoting the government Omani agency, Bloomberg has stated in its report that 42,000 riyals i.e. $ 1,09,000 or more will be applicable to annual income. After the implementation of this Income Tax Act, the top one percent income will be affected.

What will be the benefit?

Compared to other Gulf countries, Oman is now taking steps to gradually reduce its dependence on oil from oil. Regarding this, Monica Malik, the chief economist of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, while talking to Bloomberg said that its scope is limited, despite this it will prove to be an important financial development step.

According to Monica Malik, Oman’s income tax may prove to be helpful for other GCC countries in future income tax. It is worth noting that this is an important step of Oman in the direction of reforms in the Gulf countries because no member of the Gulf Cooperation Council of 6 countries ie GCC imposes income tax. In such a situation, this sector has attracted high salary and foreign labor for work. In such a situation, this decision is considered very important.

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