Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, released excerpts from his new book "The Letters" on Monday, emphasising the deep-rooted ties between Gulf nations and rejecting attempts to sow division among them.
"I am a Gulf citizen and I am proud to be a Gulf citizen," he wrote, describing the Gulf as "a great tree whose branches have multiplied, but its root is one." He added that he remains optimistic about the region's future.
The message comes after a period of heightened security concerns in the Gulf, including missile and drone strikes on the UAE from Iran and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Mohammed's remarks appear aimed at countering social media campaigns seen as attempting to drive wedges between members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Separately, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed met Saudi Arabia's Minister of Defence, Prince Khalid bin Salman, in a meeting attended by Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, along with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed.
Regional observers see the statement as part of a broader effort by Gulf leaders to project unity amid recent security and geopolitical pressures. Sheikh Mohammed's conciliatory tone underscores a call for Gulf states to stand together against forces seeking to divide them.