The Ministry of Defence said its defences are ready to protect the state.
The Ministry of Defence said its defences are ready to protect the state.
The Ministry of Defence said its defences are ready to protect the state.
The Ministry of Defence said its defences are ready to protect the state.

UAE confirms two ballistic missiles intercepted over Abu Dhabi


Rory Reynolds
  • English
  • Arabic

Latest: UAE retaliates with strike on Houthi ballistic missile launcher

Two ballistic missiles aimed at Abu Dhabi were shot down in the early hours of Monday, the Ministry of Defence has said.

Authorities confirmed "that the attack did not result in any casualties, as the remnants of the intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles fell in separate areas around the emirate".

The ministry said the weapons were launched by the Houthi terrorist group, state news agency Wam reported.

Flashes were seen in the sky over the capital at about 4.15am, residents said.

The ministry said "it is ready to deal with any threats and that it is taking all necessary measures to protect the state from attacks".

Officials later said a UAE air force F-16 unit retaliated, destroying a mobile missile battery in Al Jawf outside the Houthi-controlled capital Sana'a.

Flights running as scheduled

In Abu Dhabi on Monday, pupils returned to schools as planned after several weeks of remote learning and the roads were busy.

At the airport, flights took off as normal on a busy Monday morning. Social media claims that the airport closed appeared to be entirely false.

There were no flights planned between 3.45am and 5.10am - and 17 flights took off between then and 9am as scheduled, the airport's live board showed.

Saudi Arabia takes down ballistic missile

In Saudi Arabia, the Coalition said it destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards the city of Dhahran Al Janub early on Monday.

Shrapnel from the intercepted missile landed in the city’s industrial zone and pictures of burnt vehicles were published by local media.

The attacks came just hours after the Arab League group of nations met in Cairo to call for the US to designate the Houthis a terrorist group.

The US administration said it is considering the move after blasts in the UAE on Monday, January 17, killed three oil company workers and injured six, in an attack condemned by world leaders.

Abu Dhabi blast victims recall moment strike hit: in pictures

  • Terror attack victim Said Noor Jabar Khan speaks to 'The National' about surviving the blast at the oil storage plant. All photos: Leslie Pableo for The National
    Terror attack victim Said Noor Jabar Khan speaks to 'The National' about surviving the blast at the oil storage plant. All photos: Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Mr Khan is recovering in hospital in Abu Dhabi.
    Mr Khan is recovering in hospital in Abu Dhabi.
  • The blast sent debris flying into Mr Khan's shoulder, narrowly missing an artery between his arm and chest that, if hit, could have proved fatal.
    The blast sent debris flying into Mr Khan's shoulder, narrowly missing an artery between his arm and chest that, if hit, could have proved fatal.
  • Doctors removed shrapnel from Mr Khan's left shoulder.
    Doctors removed shrapnel from Mr Khan's left shoulder.
  • Blast survivor Ramjan Mohhmad Rath, recuperating at home in Abu Dhabi, said he had never heard such a loud sound.
    Blast survivor Ramjan Mohhmad Rath, recuperating at home in Abu Dhabi, said he had never heard such a loud sound.
  • Mr Rath received 10 stitches in his left leg.
    Mr Rath received 10 stitches in his left leg.
  • Mr Rath was standing near his lorry completing paperwork when the blast occurred.
    Mr Rath was standing near his lorry completing paperwork when the blast occurred.
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Based: Riyadh

Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany

Founded: September, 2020

Number of employees: 70

Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions

Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds  

Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre V6

Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km

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Rating: 1/5

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

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Abu Dhabi race card

5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) | ​​​​​​​Dh80,000 | 1,400m
6pm: Liwa Oasis (PA) Group 2 |​​​​​​​ Dh300,000 | 1,400m
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 (PA) Group 3 | Dh300,000 | 2,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) |​​​​​​​ Dh80,000 | 2,200m

The biog:

Favourite book: The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma

Pet Peeve: Racism 

Proudest moment: Graduating from Sorbonne 

What puts her off: Dishonesty in all its forms

Happiest period in her life: The beginning of her 30s

Favourite movie: "I have two. The Pursuit of Happiness and Homeless to Harvard"

Role model: Everyone. A child can be my role model 

Slogan: The queen of peace, love and positive energy

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

While you're here
Company%20profile
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THE TWIN BIO

Their favourite city: Dubai

Their favourite food: Khaleeji

Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach

Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Results

4pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)

4.35pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m; Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

5.10pm: Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Canvassed, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O’Meara

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

7.30pm: Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Final Song, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

Bournemouth 0

Manchester United 2
Smalling (28'), Lukaku (70')

Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

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Updated: January 24, 2022, 9:18 AM