Kathmandu, January 18
The UAE government has warned of retaliation after Huthi rebels attacked Abu Dhabi, killing three people.
Two Indians and a Pakistani national were killed in two separate attacks in Abu Dhabi on
Monday.
Al Jazeera quoted UAE National Security Adviser Jake Lullivan as saying that it would respond to the attack.
According to Abu Dhabi police, three oil tankers were attacked near an oil depot in the
Musaffah area and a construction site near Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Authorities say a preliminary investigation revealed that the fuel tanker was attacked by a small flying object (possibly a drone) and that the tanker exploded and caught fire.
Huthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack. A military spokesman for the Huthi rebel group said in a statement that it had carried out ”successful attacks on key and sensitive areas of the UAE using both ballistic missiles and drones.” He also asked the citizens to stay away from important establishments for their safety.
The UAE is a member of the Saudi-led military coalition that has been supporting the Yemeni government’s campaign against the Iranian-backed Huthi rebels.
Condemnation of the attack
The United States, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have condemned the Huthi rebels’ attack on the UAE.
According to Al Jazeera, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken condemned the attack in a
telephone conversation with his UAE counterpart.
Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the UAE president, tweeted that the attack was ‘inferior’. Similarly, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has called it a heinous crime.
By Karuna Thapa
