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.
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.
-
What would a US strike on Iran mean for the Middle East?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION A precise attack could break Iran's nuclear programme – or pull the US and its allies into a drawn-out war even more damaging than Iraq or Afghanistan
-
A long weekend in Zürich
The Week Recommends The vibrant Swiss city is far more than just a banking hub
-
Lollipop: a single mother trapped in a 'hellish catch-22'
The Week Recommends Daisy May Hudson's moving debut feature is a gut puncher in the Ken Loach tradition
-
Israel strikes Iran, killing military and nuclear chiefs
Speed Read Israeli officials said the attack was a 'preemptive' strike on Iran's nuclear program
-
Israel deports Thunberg after seizing Gaza aid boat
speed read The Swedish activist was delivering food and medical aid to Palestine, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis there
-
Colombian senator shot on streets of Bogotá
speed read Miguel Uribe Turbay, who has announced his candidacy for next year's presidential election, was shot at a rally
-
Trump says Putin vowed retaliation for Kyiv strike
speed read The Russian president intends to respond to Ukraine's weekend drone strikes on Moscow's warplanes
-
Dutch government falls over immigration policy
speed read The government collapsed after anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders quit the right-wing coalition
-
South Korea elects liberal Lee as president
speed read Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, was elected president following months of political instability in the wake of Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment
-
Nationalist wins tight Polish presidential election
speed read Karol Nawrocki beat Rafal Trzaskowski in Poland's presidential runoff election
-
Ukraine hits Russia's bomber fleet in stealth drone attack
speed read The operation, which destroyed dozens of warplanes, is the 'biggest blow of the war against Moscow's long-range bomber fleet'