The UAE has banned the use of drones and light sports aircraft from Saturday, days after Yemen’s Houthis carried out a deadly attack in the Emirates.
“The Ministry of Interior is currently stopping all flying operations for owners, practitioners and enthusiasts of drones, including drones and light sports aircraft,” a local media report said on Saturday.
The ban, which includes air and sail sports, was put in place in coordination with the General Authority for Civil Aviation.
“Anyone performing these activities during that period and disregarding guidelines will be subject to legal liabilities,” it added.
Without mentioning the recent deadly attack, the ministry said the order was made after “misuse spotted recently” where users were “trespassing into areas where these types of activities are prohibited”.
The MoI asked individuals and the community to respect the authorities’ directives namely issued by the MoI, and the General Authority for Civil Aviation, in order to “ensure the safety of lives and property, preserving them from unsafe bad practices”.
The reports said that those who have work contracts or commercial or advertising projects that rely on filming using drones should contact the authorities concerned to seek exception from the ban and to receive permits to continue work.
Last Monday, Houthi rebels claimed a drone and missile attack that struck oil facilities and the airport in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, killing three people and wounding six.
The UAE is part of a Saudi-led military coalition that supports Yemen’s government against the Iran-backed Houthis.
The Houthis have carried out repeated cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia, but the January 17 attack was the first acknowledged by the UAE inside its borders and claimed by the Yemeni insurgents.