United Arab Emirates says it intercepted 2 ballistic missiles targeting Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi.
(Image credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The United Arab Emirates defense ministry said it "intercepted and destroyed" two ballistic missiles early Monday that were targeting its capital, Abu Dhabi.

The ministry said the missiles were "fired by the terrorist Houthi group," and no one was injured or killed. The UAE is "ready to deal with any threats," the ministry added, "and it takes all necessary measures to protect the state from all attacks."

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In retaliation for the Jan. 17 attack in the UAE, the Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa; at least 12 people were killed. The Houthis say the coalition also launched airstrikes against a telecommunications building and detention center, which left at least 82 people dead.

The war in Yemen has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in what was already one of the world's poorest countries. UNICEF says at least 10,000 children have been killed or maimed in the conflict, and millions are internally displaced and out of school. There is a shortage of medicine, clean water, and food, with nearly 2.3 million children under 5 experiencing acute malnutrition. In 2019, with the crisis well underway, the UAE privately determined the war in Yemen wasn't going to be won, CNN reports, and pulled most of its troops from the country. However, the UAE recently became more engaged in the conflict, and has been supporting Yemeni forces in the oil-rich provinces of Shabwa and Marib.

Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.