The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defense announced tonight the successful interception of three UAVs that infiltrated the country’s airspace early in the morning, the second attack this week. According to the announcement, the aircraft were shot down in uninhabited areas.
Hours before the official announcement, a pro-Iranian Iraqi militia called al-Wia to al-Haq (Truthfulness Battalions) stated that it was attacking “vital facilities” in Abu Dhabi with four suicide bombers.
“We will continue to inflict painful blows until the small country of the UAE stops interfering in the affairs of other countries in the region, particularly Yemen and Iraq,” the statement said. “The next blows will be stronger and more painful.”
The Shiite militia claimed responsibility for launching suicide bombers at Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in January last year and even threatened to attack the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, the tallest structure in the world.
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This is the second attack this week against the UAE. On Monday evening, the Patriot defense system intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen during President Herzog’s visit to Abu Dhabi. Last week, missiles were fired at the U.S. al-Dafra air base in Abu Dhabi, and this time, too, successful interceptions were carried out. In the first attack, on January 17, missiles and UAVs were launched at Abu Dhabi and three people were killed by an oil rig.
Meeting of President Yitzhak Herzog and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed, Amos Ben Gershom
The Houthi militia in Yemen has threatened to continue its attacks against the UAE amid its growing aid to Saudi Arabia in attacks against targets in Yemen. The Houthis also called on foreigners to leave the country and threatened to damage the Expo exhibition and the Burj Khalifa tower.
Last night, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Abu Dhabi’s heir to the throne, Muhammad bin Zayed, and discussed with him the recent attacks of the Houthis and expressed the US commitment to the strategic partnership between the two countries.
According to the announcement, Austin also updated that the U.S. is not only content with further assistance in the field of intelligence alert and air defense, but is also sending the destroyer Cole to train with the Emirate Navy and visit the port in Abu Dhabi.
In addition, fifth-generation fighter jets will be sent to “help counter the current threat and to send a clear message that the United States is on the side of the United Arab Emirates.” The Pentagon did not specify which aircraft, Advanced Model 22-F.