Uber said to pause operations in Abu Dhabi

Uber and a local ride-hailing firm have paused their operations over the weekend in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to multiple reports.

The Financial Times reported, citing local outlets, that drivers from both services were detained by police. Reuters reported that Careem, a service based in the UAE, said that authorities were citing licensing issues while detaining the drivers.

{mosads}An Uber spokesperson told the Times that the suspension was temporary and that the company’s “goal is to have operations up and running as soon as possible.”

It’s the latest speed bump for Uber in its attempts to expand globally.

Authorities in Taiwan this month asked the company to pay more than $6 million in sales tax as they weigh the firm’s broader status in the country. And Uber effectively pulled out of mainland China when it recently announced it would be selling its Chinese assets to Didi Chuxing, its primary rival there.

Uber has also faced opposition, as in the United States, from taxi drivers around the world who think ride-hailing companies pose an existential threat to their profession.

In France, for example, taxi drivers clashed with police during January protests over ride-hailing services. The country’s government has also taken action against the company, including putting two of its executives on trial for running an illegal taxi service.