RIYADH (Dispatches) -- Saudi Arabia has imposed “extra layers” of restrictions, controls, and “regulatory oversight” on bank transfers to the UAE under what has been described as anti-crime measures, Reuters reports.
“Saudi Arabia has placed financial transfers to the UAE under extra layers of regulatory oversight reserved for countries considered high-risk for illicit money flows,” sources told the outlet.
This is not the first report to detail recent financial restrictions imposed by Riyadh on Abu Dhabi, specifically regarding money transfers.
Several companies have recently said they are facing difficulty transferring funds from banks in Saudi Arabia to the UAE.
Bloomberg and the Financial Times (FT) initially reported the measures, which have now been “enhanced” according to Reuters.
“Companies have had transfers in various currencies delayed or returned by Saudi banks with no official explanation,” the sources said.
“Saudi Arabia’s central bank requires financial institutions to apply more checks when dealing with customers or jurisdictions that pose greater risks for money laundering, terrorism financing, and other crimes. Earlier this year, it notified key banks in the country to apply such measures when handling settlements with the UAE,” they added. 
Bloomberg had reported last month that Saudi Arabia was delaying or blocking financial transfers to accounts in the UAE.
Late last year and early in 2026, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – who both waged war against Yemen in 2015 – reached the peak of their long-standing rivalry for influence in the Arab world’s poorest nation, Yemen. 
Saudi strikes hit UAE-backed militias in the country after a UAE-backed group attempted to declare independence in south Yemen. This resulted in the Emirati government declaring an end to its so-called military mission in Yemen. 
There have also been Saudi–UAE tensions over Sudan, where Riyadh has opposed UAE support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and has backed the Sudanese army and state.
The Ansarallah resistance movement and Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) are now mobilizing in an effort to expel the Saudi-led coalition and what remains of Abu Dhabi’s presence in and around Yemen. 
Saudi assets have come under heavy attacks from the YAF in recent weeks, targeting several sites including Aramco energy infrastructure. 
Meanwhile, reports say Riyadh is preparing to launch a new, heavy assault on Yemen.