According to recently released reports, the heads of two key Israeli intelligence agencies have made separate trips to the United Arab Emirates over the past few months, including during the active phase of the war with Iran.
These trips stand as yet another piece of evidence of military cooperation between the two nations – one that has involved coordinated strikes on Iranian territory, the sharing of intelligence, joint detection and interception of Iranian missiles and drones, as well as cross-checking targets for operations against Iran.
Mossad chief David Barnea is reported to have visited the UAE at least twice during the war with Iran to hold talks with senior Emirati officials. The meetings – which neither Israel nor the UAE officially announced — were aimed at coordinating efforts between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi amid the ongoing hostilities. According to sources cited by the outlet, the talks took place in March and April, with Barnea slipping into the Gulf state unannounced.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office and the UAE’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment, though a source familiar with the matter confirmed that Barnea did travel to the Emirates.
In addition, as reported by a broadcast news network, Shin Bet chief David Zini also made his way to the UAE in recent weeks. The purpose of his trip – much like that of the Mossad head – was to step up coordination between Israeli intelligence agencies and the UAE’s security and intelligence services.