The Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility this Monday (31.01.2022) for the attack launched on Sunday evening against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the third in January, and which this time coincides with the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog to the country Arabic. The office of the Israeli authorities confirmed that the leader’s schedule for the day will continue as planned.
The Houthis’ military spokesman, Yahya Sarea, said in a televised statement that they had attacked “important targets in the emirate of Abu Dhabi with a series of ballistic missiles” and “sensitive targets in the emirate of Dubai, using drones”. The attack, dubbed “Operation Yemen Third Cyclone”, targeted “the depth of the small Emirati enemy state” and added that the action “successfully achieved its objectives”.
“We reiterate our call on citizens, residents and businesses to stay away from vital centers and facilities, which will be targeted in the future,” he added. He also said that the UAE “will remain insecure as long as the tools of the Israeli army the enemy in Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to launch aggression against our beloved people and country.”
The Houthi attack coincides with the historic visit of Herzog, who arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and is now attending the Dubai Expo, where Israel’s National Day is celebrated.
platform destruction
The Emirati Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday evening the interception and destruction of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis, without specifying the place where this occurred. Shortly after, the Defense Ministry’s Joint Operations Command announced “the destruction of the ballistic missile platform launched from Al Jawf (northern Yemen)”.
On the other hand, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that air traffic in the country has not been affected and no airports have suffered the impact of these missiles. On January 17, the Houthis attacked a construction area at Abu Dhabi airport as well as an industrial area, in an action that left three people dead.
The UAE is part of a Saudi-led military coalition of Sunni countries that support the internationally recognized Yemeni government against Houthi rebels, an Iran-backed Shia movement.
DZC (EFE, Reuters, AFP)
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Yemen, a forgotten civil war (09.2016)
long-standing conflict
Although Yemen’s civil war officially began in 2014, clashes between the Houthis in the north of the country and the central government have a long history. During these clashes, the rebels even ventured into Saudi territory. During President Abdo Rabu Mansur Hadi’s tenure, the situation worsened as the Houthis openly struggled for power.
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Yemen, a forgotten civil war (09.2016)
A troubled president
President Abdo Rabu Mansur Hadi attempted to speak with the Houthis, who were approaching the capital, Sanaa. The rebels finally took the city in September 2014 and forced the president to broker a deal. The government presented a proposal for division into regions with some autonomy, but the insurgents rejected it. In January 2015, Hadi resigned and was confined to his residence.
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Yemen, a forgotten civil war (09.2016)
Free way for the Houthis
The Houthis eventually attacked the Government Palace and the Parliament. Soon after, Hadi escaped from his residence in Sanaa and traveled to Aden, the former capital of South Yemen, where he temporarily established his government. In a speech, he declared the coup perpetrated by the insurgents illegitimate and assured that he still controlled the country.
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Yemen, a forgotten civil war (09.2016)
takeover
Demonstrating that they really had the power, the Houthis held a ceremony in Sanaa to announce a new constitution, dissolving parliament to be replaced by a 551-member national council and forming a presidential council to guide the destinations of the country.
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Yemen, a forgotten civil war (09.2016)
Saudi Arabia steps in
On March 25, 2015, at the request of the internationally recognized government of Yemen, Saudi Arabia launched “Operation Decisive Storm”, a series of aerial missions aimed at weakening Houthi positions, which were already surrounding the new headquarters of the army. Hadi Executive, in Aden. An Arab coalition supports this military operation.
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Yemen, a forgotten civil war (09.2016)
blind attacks
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the UN have accused Saudi Arabia of committing war crimes in Yemen because the targets of its bombings are often civilians. The Yemen affair is also the continuation of a struggle between regional powers, since the Houthis are supported by Iran, while the Hadi government has the support of Riyadh.
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Yemen, a forgotten civil war (09.2016)
A helpless special envoy
The UN has appointed Ismail Ould Chekh Ahmed to mediate between the parties to the conflict in Yemen to reach an agreement that would end the bombardments and relieve the plight of the civilian population, who are hungry and lack medical care. There have been ceasefires, but they are often violated by both sides. The work of the envoy was arduous and fruitless.
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Yemen, a forgotten civil war (09.2016)
Peace talks in Kuwait
The last serious attempt to reach an agreement to form a transitional government made up of members of the Houthis and the Hadi executive was made in Kuwait. But the disagreements were not overcome and on August 7, 2016 the talks ended, without making any progress. In addition to the war, political meetings between the two camps have not ceased since then.
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Yemen, a forgotten civil war (09.2016)
international condemnation
In this war, hospitals, schools, entire neighborhoods and, in the latest massacre by Saudi planes, a funeral were bombed. On October 8, 2016, coalition fighters attacked Sanaa, striking a funeral ceremony, killing over 150 people. The action was widely condemned and Saudi Arabia promised to investigate the matter.
Author: Diego Zuniga
