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


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."
Since 2015, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have had control over most of Yemen. They are fighting a Saudi-led coalition that wants to restore the country's internationally recognized government. Last week, Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a Jan. 17 drone attack near Abu Dhabi's airport, which left at least three people dead. This was the first deadly attack to take place in the UAE in several years. A spokesperson for the Houthis said the UAE "is an unsafe state as long as its aggressive escalation against Yemen continues."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Road trip: New England’s maple syrup season
Feature New England is serving up maple syrup in delicious and unexpected ways
By The Week US Published
-
Music Reviews: Mdou Moctar, Panda Bear, and Tate McRae
Feature “Tears of Injustice,” “Sinister Grift,” and “So Close to What”
By The Week US Published
-
What's at stake in the Mahmoud Khalil deportation fight?
Talking Points Vague accusations and First Amendment concerns
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Arab leaders embrace Egypt's Gaza rebuilding plan
Speed Read The $53 billion proposal would rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinian residents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Germany's conservatives win power amid far-right gains
Speed Read The party led by Friedrich Merz won the country's national election; the primary voter issues were the economy and immigration
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia frees US teacher Marc Fogel in murky 'exchange'
Speed Read He was detained in Moscow for carrying medically prescribed marijuana
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Hamas pauses Gaza hostage release, upending ceasefire
Speed Read Hamas postponed the next scheduled hostage release 'until further notice,' accusing Israel of breaking the terms of their ceasefire deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Baltic States unplug from Russian grid, join EU's
Speed Read Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are disconnecting from the Soviet-era electricity grid to join the EU's network
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
At least 11 killed in Sweden adult ed school shooting
Speed Read The worst mass shooting in Swedish history took place in Orebro
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published