The UAE’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on Monday, January 31, that its air defense forces had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi terrorist group at the UAE.
The ministry confirmed in a statement that “there were no casualties resulting from the attack and the fragments of the ballistic missile fell outside of populated areas.”
It added: “The UAE air defense forces and the Coalition Command had succeeded in destroying the missile launcher in Yemen after identifying locations of the sites.”
It shared a video of the operation as well. Watch it here:
UAE MOD Joint Operations Command announces at 00:50 UAE time the destruction of platform for ballistic missile launched from Al-Jawf, Yemen towards UAE. Missile was intercepted at 00:20 by air defences. Video of successful destruction of missile platform and launch site pic.twitter.com/CY1AoAzfrp
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) January 30, 2022
The ministry affirmed its “full readiness to deal with any threats.”
It added that it would “take all necessary measures to protect the UAE from any attacks.”
Meanwhile, the country’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has affirmed that air-traffic movement within its borders was normal, and that all flights were operating as usual.
In a statement on Monday, the GCAA said: ”There is no impact on flights and airports resulting from the interception of the ballistic missile launched by the Houthi terrorist militia on the country.”
Condemnation ensues
Within hours of the incident, world powers joined the chorus in condemnation of the attack.
The US was one of the first off the block, with Edward Price, the spokesperson for the United States Department of State, making his country’s stand clear on Twitter.
He said, “We condemn the latest Houthi missile attack on Abu Dhabi.”
He added: “While Israel’s president is visiting the UAE to build bridges and promote stability across the region, the Houthis continue to launch attacks that threaten civilians.”
We condemn the latest Houthi missile attack on Abu Dhabi. While Israel’s president is visiting the UAE to build bridges and promote stability across the region, the Houthis continue to launch attacks that threaten civilians.
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) January 31, 2022
Bahrain also strongly condemned and denounced the attack, according to a report in the official Bahrain News Agency.
Its Foreign Affairs Ministry commended the vigilance and efficiency of the UAE Air Defense for intercepting and destroying the missile.
The ministry stressed that such terrorist acts affirm the keenness of the terrorist Houthi militia to target civilians and civilian facilities.
It affirmed that Bahrain supports the UAE in all the measures it takes to protect its security and stability.
A week ago
The attack comes exactly a week after missiles launched by the Houthi in Yemen targeted the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
While no injuries were reported in the attack on the UAE, the attack in Saudi Arabia had resulted in two people — both migrant workers — being injured as the missiles fell on car workshops.
It also comes exactly two weeks after at least three people were killed in a Houthi attack on the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi.