• Missiles on display at a Houthi exhibition. The terrorist group has claimed responsibility for a spate of attempted attacks on the UAE leading to global condemnation. Reuters
    Missiles on display at a Houthi exhibition. The terrorist group has claimed responsibility for a spate of attempted attacks on the UAE leading to global condemnation. Reuters
  • A Houthi fighter fires an anti-tank missile in an August offensive near the south-west Saudi region of Najran along the Yemeni border. AFP
    A Houthi fighter fires an anti-tank missile in an August offensive near the south-west Saudi region of Najran along the Yemeni border. AFP
  • A Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Saudi Arabia. The kingdom thwarted a bid by Houthi militias to target civilians and civilian sites in the city of Khamis Mushait. Reuters
    A Houthi ballistic missile aimed at Saudi Arabia. The kingdom thwarted a bid by Houthi militias to target civilians and civilian sites in the city of Khamis Mushait. Reuters
  • A file picture of the Quds cruise missile launch from an unidentified location in Yemen. Reuters
    A file picture of the Quds cruise missile launch from an unidentified location in Yemen. Reuters
  • Missiles and drone aircraft are on display at a Houthi exhibition in Yemen. Reuters
    Missiles and drone aircraft are on display at a Houthi exhibition in Yemen. Reuters

UAE

UAE intercepts and destroys three hostile drones

Interception took place away from populated areas, Ministry of Defence says

The National

February 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Three hostile drones that penetrated UAE airspace were shot down on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said.

The interception was “away from populated areas” and happened at dawn, officials said late on Wednesday night.

The MoD reiterated its “full readiness to deal with any threats”. It added that it will “take all necessary measures to protect the UAE from any attacks".

The attempted attack came on the same day the US said it would send fighter jets and a warship to the Emirates following the recent Houthi attacks.

Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said fifth generation aircraft and the USS Cole would help to tackle the threat from the Iran-backed Yemeni rebels.

Mr Austin said the USS Cole would link up with the UAE Navy at sea before docking in Abu Dhabi.

An attack on January 17 killed three oil company workers — Hardeep Singh, Hardev Singh and Mamoor Khan — and injured six others.

Missiles fired at the UAE by the Houthis on January 24 and January 31 were intercepted and did not lead to any casualties or damage.

US to send fighter jets and warship to support UAE: in pictures

  • Lt Gen Kenneth McKenzie, Commander of the United States Central Command, says the US will bolster Emirati defences against the Houthi rebel group. Photo: Wam
    Lt Gen Kenneth McKenzie, Commander of the United States Central Command, says the US will bolster Emirati defences against the Houthi rebel group. Photo: Wam
  • The 'USS Cole' will link up with UAE naval forces at sea and later dock in Abu Dhabi, the Pentagon said. US Navy / AFP
    The 'USS Cole' will link up with UAE naval forces at sea and later dock in Abu Dhabi, the Pentagon said. US Navy / AFP
  • The destroyer is equipped with the Aegis missile system, which can fire interceptor missiles at high-speed missiles over long ranges. US Navy / AFP
    The destroyer is equipped with the Aegis missile system, which can fire interceptor missiles at high-speed missiles over long ranges. US Navy / AFP
  • The vessel will dock in Abu Dhabi as part of its mission to assist the UAE, the Pentagon said. US Navy / AFP
    The vessel will dock in Abu Dhabi as part of its mission to assist the UAE, the Pentagon said. US Navy / AFP
  • During one of three recent Houthi attacks on Abu Dhabi, both Emirati and US forces fired missiles at inbound projectiles. It was the UAE's defensive missiles that hit incoming rockets, the Pentagon said. Pictured are US-made Patriots. Photo: Raytheon
    During one of three recent Houthi attacks on Abu Dhabi, both Emirati and US forces fired missiles at inbound projectiles. It was the UAE's defensive missiles that hit incoming rockets, the Pentagon said. Pictured are US-made Patriots. Photo: Raytheon
  • The Pentagon said it was sending fifth generation fighter jets to support the UAE against the Houthis. Fifth generation is the term used to describe the F-35 Lightning II (pictured here) and the F-22 Raptor. It was not said which jet would be sent. US Air Force / AFP
    The Pentagon said it was sending fifth generation fighter jets to support the UAE against the Houthis. Fifth generation is the term used to describe the F-35 Lightning II (pictured here) and the F-22 Raptor. It was not said which jet would be sent. US Air Force / AFP
  • The F-22 Raptor, pictured here over Syria, is the other fighter jet classed as fifth generation by the US. US Air Force / AFP
    The F-22 Raptor, pictured here over Syria, is the other fighter jet classed as fifth generation by the US. US Air Force / AFP
Updated: February 03, 2022, 6:32 AM
UAE