The United Arab Emirates has called for UN intervention following attacks by Houthi militants in capital Abu Dhabi on Monday, January 17.
The UAE has submitted a letter to Norway, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) president for the month of January, requesting a meeting of the council to address the attacks.
The letter condemns the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian objects in flagrant violation of international law, reported the emirates’ official news agency WAM.
It called on the council to unequivocally condemn the Houthi attacks with one voice, said the reports.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has already condemned the attack, with a statement saying he had called upon all parties to “exercise maximum restraint and prevent any escalation amid heightened tensions in the region.”
UAE pushes further
“The United Arab Emirates strongly condemns the Houthis’ targeting of civilians and civilian objects in flagrant violation of international law,” said Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN.
“This illegal and alarming escalation is a further step in the Houthis’ efforts to spread terrorism and chaos in our region. It is another attempt by the Houthis, using the capabilities they have unlawfully acquired in defiance of UN sanctions, to threaten peace and security,” she said.
“The United Arab Emirates calls on the Security Council to speak with one voice and join in firmly and unequivocally condemning these terrorist attacks, which were launched in complete disregard of international law.”
Houthi militias targeted the Musaffah ICAD 3 area and the new construction area at Abu Dhabi International Airport, both of which are civilian infrastructure, at 10 am time on January 17.
The attacks, which led to the explosion of three petroleum tankers, killed two Indian civilians and one Pakistani civilian and injured six other civilians.
The Houthis confirmed responsibility for the attacks.
Global reaction
Meanwhile after a round of condolences that followed the attacks, leaders across the world are joining hands to condemn the violence.
The US has already vowed action against the Houthis.
“The Houthis have claimed responsibility for this attack, and we will work with the UAE and international partners to hold them accountable,” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a White House statement.
Russia joined the chorus, noting that the attacks were especially heinous due to the fact that Abu Dhabi has been implementing a policy to promote peace and stability in the region.
Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, in a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, expressed his country’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the attacks, reported WAM.
Al-Sabah affirmed Kuwait’s solidarity with and standing by the UAE and its people.
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain also condemned the Houthi attacks.
During the phone call with Sheikh Mohamed, he reiterated Bahrain’s solidarity with the UAE in confronting all that threatens its security and stability, backing all measures against such terrorist acts in order to protect citizens and residents’ safety.
“The security of the UAE is an integral part of the security of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region”, he said.
Israel President Isaac Herzog also called the Abu Dhabi ruler and expressed his strong condemnation of the attacks.
Herzog expressed Israel’s rejection of this attack and emphasized support to all measures the UAE was taking defend its security and sovereignty.
Egypt President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi also called, stressing his country’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the attacks.
He affirmed Egypt’s support for the UAE and its rejection of any threat to its security or stability.
Meanwhile, Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to express his country’s strong condemnation of the violence.
He reportedly pointed out that such terrorist acts contravene all international norms and laws.
Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein also called Sheikh Abdullah, and affirmed his condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attacks.
He said the violence poses a threat to the security and stability of the entire region.