Three years after their attack on Abu Dhabi, the Houthis' campaign in the UAE has been a failure

Yemenis watch a TV screen reporting about a Houthi attack on the UAE, in Sanaa in January 2022. EPA

After their attack on civilian facilities in Abu Dhabi in January 2022, it became amply clear that the Houthis in Yemen pose a serious threat to the Middle East.

The threat they posed has since also extended to international maritime navigation in the Red Sea. They have allied with likeminded militias in other countries, especially since such groups have little interest in international rules and laws, and receive support from regional countries to implement agendas that do not serve Arab interests.

The Houthis have chosen to detach themselves from Arab geography and history and join a regional project that directly challenges the Arab security system. However, Yemen’s interests remain within the Arab sphere, represented by the legitimate state authority, not the militia’s coup. Rebellion against the state, no matter how long it lasts, is temporary. Hostility towards the Arab populations will only harm the militia. Their activities are destined to fail and will only increase tension and instability in the region, with the Yemeni people being the first victims.

Following the attack on Abu Dhabi, the UAE made an astute diplomatic move by emphasising the cross-border nature of Houthi terrorism, rather than dealing with the militia as a political entity. This approach was particularly important given the group’s obstruction of any resolution to the Yemeni crisis and its disregard for international law and regional stability.

In this context, the international community, particularly the UN, was urged to designate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation. However, the failure to take this measure has allowed the group to continue destabilising the region. In the months that followed, they have continued mounting direct attacks against international navigation and the region more broadly, showing little regard for regional security.

A UAE F-16 destroys a ballistic missile launcher operated by Houthi rebels in Al Jawf in Yemen in January 2022. UAE MOD/EYEPRESS

While managing the crisis and countering Houthi terrorism, UAE leaders have focused on protecting the country’s continued economic and social development. As always, the Emirati people demonstrated remarkable solidarity and unity in the fight against terrorism. The state remained steadfast in its ambitious plans to continue boosting the country’s fortunes, pursuing a comprehensive crisis management approach by acting on several fronts: economic, social, security and military.

Despite the Houthis’ attacks on Abu Dhabi, their campaign has been a failure. The UAE, as a “haven of security and safety” and the region’s leading financial and commercial hub, continues to thrive at every level. It remains a top destination for business and investment, despite tensions in the Middle East.

This success is reflected in the UAE’s status as one of the most desirable countries to live globally. Abu Dhabi ranks first in the global safety index, according to last year’s Crime Rates and Safety Index, thanks to the wise and informed management of the crisis.

On the military front, the UAE Armed Forces are fully prepared and capable of deterring any threat to the country’s security and achievements. It is this preparedness that has enabled its swift and effective response to the Houthi attacks, which included decisive retaliatory strikes.

Yemenis inspect the site of Saudi-UAE led air strikes in the northern province of Saada, Yemen, in January 2022. EPA

Through action, and not just words, the UAE sent a clear message: the land of security and safety is ready and able to deter terrorism. The UAE military is equipped with state-of-the-art air defence systems and advanced fighter aircraft, ensuring its readiness to address any future threats. The army is well-prepared to protect the country’s achievements and implement the state’s regional policy of peace and stability, aimed at fostering development and prosperity for all.

The Houthis’ aggressive actions towards the Yemeni people and neighbouring countries are fuelled by the supply of military aid, including ballistic missiles and drones. Halting these supplies could be a crucial step in ending the dangerous adventures that threaten peace in Yemen, provoke conflict with other Arab countries, and disrupt shipping in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea regions. Such threats have far-reaching consequences for Arab economies.

The UAE has been, and continues to be, determined to achieve its goals of contributing to building a stable and prosperous region for all and promoting the values of coexistence and tolerance. To this end, it will continue to fight terrorism in all its forms to protect its own security and that of the region. Military strength is the greatest guarantee for achieving and preserving peace.

For its part, the international community must shoulder the responsibility of restoring regional security by preventing the flow of arms to militias. Removing armed militias from the international political arena is essential for reviving the role of the nation-state across the region.