Destroying Three Drones That Intruded Its Airspace, UAE: We Are Ready To Face Any Threat

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that it had succeeded in intercepting an unmanned drone that broke through its airspace, stating that it was ready to face any incoming threats.

The United Arab Emirates intercepted and destroyed three drones that penetrated the airspace over uninhabited areas Wednesday morning, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) said.

The Gulf region nation has faced several attacks in recent weeks, including a missile strike on Monday during a visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack on the UAE.

"MOD announces the interception and destruction, away from populated areas, of three enemy drones that penetrated UAE airspace at dawn today, 2/2/2022," the MOD wrote on Twitter as quoted February 3.

"MOD confirms that it is ready to face any threat and is taking all necessary measures to protect its country and territory."

The attack on the UAE, the region's commercial and tourism hub, is an escalation in the Yemen war, where the Houthis have repeatedly launched missiles and drones into Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015, after the Houthis overthrew the previous government in the capital, Sanaa.

Separately, the United States (US) said it would send fighter jets to help the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following missile attacks on the Gulf state launched by Yemen's Houthi movement, including an attack on a US troop base that was thwarted.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a phone call on Tuesday that Washington would send the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole to partner with the UAE navy ahead of a port visit in Abu Dhabi.

"The secretary also informed the Crown Prince of his decision to deploy 5th Generation Fighter aircraft to assist the UAE against current threats and as a clear signal that the United States supports the UAE as a long-term strategic partner," the US Department of Defense said in a statement.

A week earlier, the US military said it had fired several Patriot missile interceptors at two incoming missiles, which the Houthis said were fired at the UAE's al-Dhafra airbase.

Meanwhile, the Emirati's envoy to the United Nations last week said the UAE could improve its defense capabilities and was in discussions with the United States.

"To note, the United States will continue to provide early warning intelligence and collaborate on air defense," Minister Austin told Sheikh Mohammed, the de facto ruler of the UAE.