UAE blocks missile strikes while the Israeli president arrives

Once more, the UAE blocks missile strikes while the Israeli president arrives. 

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates said on Monday that it had intercepted the ballistic missile fired from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. 

The incident hosted the UAE hosts Israeli president Isaac Herzog during his first trip to the Gulf tourist and business center.

In the third assault against the U.S.-allied Gulf state in the recent two weeks, Houthis spokeswoman claimed that they launched Zulfiqar missiles in Abu Dhabi and launched drones in Dubai. 

He reiterated caution to businesses and residents of all sizes to “stay away from vital headquarters and facilities” in the UAE, proudly presenting itself as a haven for the company and a top tourist destination worldwide.

The United States condemned the assault that followed an earlier Jan. 17 attack at a fuel depot located in Abu Dhabi that killed three persons – in an increase of the Yemen conflict between the Houthis and a Saudi-led alliance that also includes UAE.

U.S. President Joe Biden stated that his administration is involved in “daily contact” with the UAE to discuss threats.

The Pentagon stated that U.S. forces in the UAE activated Patriot missile defenses. Still, the Emirates Surface-to air interceptors destroyed the incoming missile. 

It also left an open possibility for further military support for defense.

“We continue to … explore opportunities to improve our defenses and the defenses of our Emirati partners as well,” Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby told a news briefing.

A top Emirati official said the attacks were “useless” provocations. “Those who test the UAE are mistaken,” the official, Anwar Gargash, said in a tweet.

The violence has caused unusual security anxiety for some citizens, where expatriates make up an overwhelming majority. Yet, the incidents have not affected the daily routine as beaches and restaurants are packed during the mild wintertime.

UAE confidence in the market has declined after Houthi missiles’ launches. Still, economic analysts believe that the rockets that mainly were deterred haven’t slowed investors’ confidence or businesses.

The UAE said it intercepted the missile 20 minutes after midnight, and its debris fell upon an uninhabited region.

The president of Israel was in the capital city where he was discussing security issues and relations bilaterally with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“While Israel’s president is visiting the UAE to build bridges and promote stability across the region, the Houthis continue to launch attacks that threaten civilians,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a tweet.

Herzog continued his trip to Expo 2020 in Dubai.

He also expressed his hope that other nations would be willing to normalize relations with Israel like the UAE did in the past when it, along with Bahrain, formed ties with Bahrain at the end of 2020 by U.S.-brokered agreements known as”the “Abraham Accords.”

“There are only two alternatives for this region. One is peace, prosperity, cooperation, joint investments … or what Iran is doing, which is destabilizing the region and using its proxies to employ terror,” Herzog then said in a statement from his office.

Herzog left the UAE on Monday and was seen getting departing from an airport with Emirati, the minister of foreign affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a video released by the Israeli office of the president was shown.