President Sheikh Mohamed was briefed on the UAE Armed Forces' efforts to protect the nation from Iranian attacks during a visit to the Ministry of Defence in Abu Dhabi.
The President was told on Sunday of the ministry's response to the military escalation threatening security and stability in the Gulf. Sheikh Mohamed led a high-level delegation of ministers and officials to follow up on the critical work carried out to defend the UAE against the strikes.
Ministry of Defence teams have dealt with about 1,500 missiles and drones targeting key infrastructure and civilian sites in the Emirates.
Sheikh Mohamed was joined on the tour by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region; Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs; Lt Gen Ibrahim Al Alawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence; Hamad Al Rumaithi, Military Affairs Adviser to the UAE President; Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs; and senior officers of the Ministry of Defence.
The UAE leadership has praised its military personnel and frontline workers for their response to the crisis. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Sunday reviewed the emergency readiness system at the Unified Medical Operations Command Centre.
He commended the medical, administrative and technical personnel at the centre who are helping to deliver the best standards of care to those injured in the attacks.
President holds Trump talks
Sheikh Mohamed on Sunday held a phone call with US President Donald Trump to discuss the conflict and their implications for regional and international security.
Discussions addressed the continued Iranian attacks targeting the UAE and other Gulf countries, which the two leaders said represented a violation of the sovereignty of the affected nations.
Sheikh Mohamed also received a phone call from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi over the Iranian offensive in the Gulf.
Mr El Sisi condemned the attacks and pledged Egypt's full support and solidarity with the UAE over the measures it has taken to protect itself.
Both sides warned of the dangers posed by the ongoing military escalation, stressing the need to prioritise dialogue and diplomatic solutions.
The Egypt leader spoke last week of his country's commitment to securing a halt to hostilities.
“Egypt had tried to prevent this escalation because it knows only too well from experience that wars only result in destruction, ruin and hurting the interests and destiny of the people,” the Egyptian leader told those attending a Ramadan iftar organised by the military academy on Friday.
“Egypt is continuing to try to launch a mediation effort that's both sincere and honest to stop the war because its continuation will exact a high price,” he said, according to his office. “This war is a reflection of mistaken calculations and assessments.”
