The UAE has strongly condemned the systematic attempts by Iran-backed Houthi militias to attack civilians and civilian infrastructure in the southern Saudi city of Khamis Mushait, the latest being a booby-trapped drone that was intercepted by coalition forces.
In a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation statement on Thursday, the UAE reiterated that these terrorist attacks by the Houthis reflect their blatant disregard for the international community and all international laws and norms, state news agency Wam reported.
The ministry urged the international community to take an immediate and decisive stance to stop these recurrent acts, which target critical infrastructure and threaten the security and stability of the kingdom.
It also stressed that the continued threat of these attacks in recent days is a grave escalation that represents new evidence of these militias' attempts to undermine security and stability in the region.
The UAE renewed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia over these subversive terrorist attacks and reiterated its stance against all threats to the kingdom's security and stability.
The UAE also reiterated its support for all measures taken by Saudi authorities to maintain the safety and security of its citizens and residents.
The ministry statement emphasised that the security of the UAE and that of Saudi Arabia are indivisible and that any threat facing the kingdom is considered a threat to the security and stability of the UAE.
The Houthis were listed as a State Sponsor of Terror by the Trump administration in its last days in office – a move that curtailed access to funds for the group but had a negative effect on humanitarian work in Yemen.
Nonetheless, the Houthis have continued attacks against Saudi Arabia and pressed a major offensive in the north of the country around the government stronghold of Marib.
US President Joe Biden delisted the Iran-backed group within the first few weeks of taking office.
This week, US special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said the Houthi rebels keep refusing to engage meaningfully in talks to end the conflict.
The conflict broke out in 2015 when the Houthis took over the capital Sanaa and much of north-west Yemen.
Saudi Arabia since then has led a coalition to support the internationally recognised government of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi.
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An Iranian-built Qasef-1 drone used by Houthi rebels in Yemen. -
A shot down drone on display. All photos by Victor Besa / The National -
The remains of a Houthi drone intercepted by the Saudi Arabian Air Force. @SPAregions -
The engine of a Qasef-1 drone shot down by Arab Coalition forces in Yemen. -
A drone used by Houthi rebels to launch attacks on Saudi Arabia. AP -
An IED built with Iranian components and camouflaged as a cooking pot recovered by Arab Coalition forces in Yemen. -
An Iranian-supplied STEYR .50 Calibre sniper riffle being used by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. -
Two anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). The one on the right is a Russian-made Kornet, and on the left is an Iranian imitation. Markings show they were built in 2015 indicating they were smuggled to Yemen after the UN arms embargo. -
IEDs camouflaged inside a fake rock. Arab Coalition officials estimate they have defused up to 30,000 such devices since the war began. -
Farsi language was found enscribed on the wiring of this drone battery from a Qasef-1 UAV indicating its Iranian origins. -
Limpet mines. -
Electronics of an IED. -
Remains of Houthi drone which the coalition shot down. @SPAregions -
Weapons supplied by Iran to the Houthi militias in Yemen were put on display at a press conference by the Saudi-led Arab coalition. Victor Besa / The National
