ALBAWABA- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan abruptly postponed his planned visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, citing a “health problem” affecting UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Erdogan’s office briefly posted a statement on X expressing concern and wishing MBZ a swift recovery, then deleted it, fueling speculation about underlying diplomatic frictions. The Turkish leader said the trip would be rescheduled for a “convenient later date.”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had similarly deferred his Abu Dhabi visit on Friday, officially due to domestic scheduling conflicts, though reports of MBZ’s undisclosed ailment have raised questions about coordinated diplomatic pullbacks.
During a phone call, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between their countries, focusing on deepening bilateral cooperation and regional collaboration, as reported by the Emirates News.
UAE officials have not further confirmed any details, describing the condition as non-life-threatening but requiring rest.
During a phone call, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece, explored ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between their countries. #EmiratesNews #DubaiOneTv #UAE #Dubai #News@Sjamkhou pic.twitter.com/h5oOJdhTQh
— Emirates News (@Emirates_News) February 16, 2026
The postponements occur amid heightened scrutiny of the UAE’s foreign engagements, particularly in Yemen and Africa, where its backing of separatist militias such as Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council and Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces has strained relations with Saudi Arabia, Tukey and Egypt.
December 2025 airstrikes by Riyadh on UAE-linked assets in Yemen forced an Emirati withdrawal, exposing a Red Sea power struggle.
The delays may reflect mounting pressure on MBZ’s regime as regional players like Turkey and Greece navigate the fallout from Abu Dhabi’s proxy wars, which have drawn UN criticism for worsening famines and instability.
