The UAE government has ordered to stop all flying operations of private drones and light
sports aircraft in the Gulf country for a month, days after two Indians and a Pakistani
national were killed in Abu Dhabi in a rare drone and missile attack claimed by Yemen’s
Houthi rebels.
In a statement, the Ministry of Interior ordered to stop all flying operations of drones and
light sports aircraft for owners, practitioners, and enthusiasts from January 22.
According to the statement, the ban also encompasses air and sail spots.
“The decision came after the misuse spotted recently, not limiting the practice of these
sports to the areas identified in the user permits and trespassing into areas where these
types of activities are prohibited,” said the statement released by the UAE’s official news
agency Wam.
It said that the regulations were put in place in coordination with the General Authority for
Civil Aviation and in line with the relative guidelines.
It said that exceptions might be granted for filming.
The entities that have work contracts or commercial or advertising projects that rely on
filming using drones must communicate with the permit authorities to take the necessary
exceptions and permits to carry out their work and projects, it said.
The ministry reminded users that anyone performing these activities during that period and
disregarding guidelines would be subject to legal liabilities.
Last week, Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted a fuel depot in Abu Dhabi and the city’s main
airport, heightening tensions in the oil-exporting region.
The UAE blamed the attack on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, saying this sinful targeting will not
go unpunished.
The UAE “reserves its right to retaliate to these terrorist attacks and this sinful, criminal
escalation,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation.
The Houthi rebels have taken responsibility for several drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil
facilities in the past. The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen fighting Houthis.
