Abu Dhabi, Jan 24, (dpa/GNA) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Monday it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles targeting the Gulf country, in an attack claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defense said fragments of the missiles fell in different areas around the capital Abu Dhabi, with no casualties.
The ministry said it will “take all necessary measures to protect the UAE from any attacks.”
The Houthi rebels said they have targeted the UAE and neighboring Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles and drones, in response to the latest escalation by the military coalition fighting the rebels in Yemen since 2015.
The Houthis said they plan to expand their operations and warned foreign companies and investors, to leave the UAE.
Monday’s incident is the latest since last week’s rebel attack targeting the airport and oil tankers in Abu Dhabi, killing three people.
Since then, the Saudi-led coalition intensified its strikes on Houthi-held areas across Yemen, reportedly killing dozens of civilians. Strikes also caused an internet outage in many areas in the war-torn country.
The UAE is Saudi Arabia’s main partner in the coalition that was formed months after the Houthis seized control of Yemen’s capital Sana’a, and other areas in 2014, driving the government to flee to the southern city of Aden.
GNA