Countries across the world join in condemnation of Houthi attacks on Abu Dhabi

Imran Khan among leaders showing solidarity

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi was among the leaders that denounced the attacks. Reuters
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Countries, leaders and ministers from across the world have condemned the Houthi attacks on Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Tuesday received a call from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who denounced the Houthi attacks, state news agency Wam reported.

He affirmed Egypt's support for the UAE and its rejection of any threat to its security or stability.

Sheikh Mohamed also spoke with Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, who also expressed his strong condemnation of the attacks.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, also held a call with Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Khan said he rejected any threat to the security and sovereignty of the UAE.

He offered his condolences for the victims of these attacks, wishing a speedy recovery for those injured. Sheikh Mohamed thanked Mr Khan for the sentiments.

Iraqi President Barham Salih also condemned the attacks in a call to Sheikh Mohamed. He emphasised Iraq's support for the UAE and rejection of any threat to its security and sovereignty.

Sheikh Mohamed also spoke to Sheikh Meshal Al Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, who expressed his country's denunciation of the attacks and Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and African Union Chair, who expressed his strong condemnation.

Earlier, India and Pakistan's foreign ministers also condemned the Houthi attack on Abu Dhabi that killed three of their citizens.

India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar spoke to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, by phone to offer his support.

“Dr Jaishankar expressed India's strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack by the terrorist Houthi militia on civil areas and facilities in the UAE,” the state news agency Wam reported.

“He also reiterated India's full solidarity with the leadership, government and people of the UAE, highlighting the strong ties that their countries share.”

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, denounced the incident as a terrorist act that left one of his countrymen dead.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would support the family of its citizen who died.

Two Indians and a Pakistani citizen died and six others were injured in an explosion at Adnoc's fuel storage depot in Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi, at about 10am on Monday.

A second incident led to a fire in a part of Abu Dhabi airport where construction is being carried out. No casualties were reported there.

Officials said an investigation was continuing and have not publicly confirmed that the strikes were by aerial drones.

Macron offers solidarity

France's President Emmanuel Macron offered his support to the UAE.

A statement from the Elysee Palace said he “strongly condemns the attacks on Abu Dhabi yesterday, and offers his support" to the UAE.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had expressed France's strong condemnation of “these attacks that threaten the security of the UAE's territory and the region's stability".

In Moscow, Russia's foreign ministry said the strike against civilian targets was unacceptable, while the German foreign office said the attack was a grave threat that seeks to destabilise the region.

Japan and Singapore also condemned the attacks and expressed condolences to those who lost their lives.

Sheikh Mohamed also took similar calls from the President of Mauritania; the chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Transitional Council; while the Comoros government also expressed its condolences.

Updated: January 19, 2022, 5:22 AM