Pakistan in close touch with UAE officials over citizen’s death in Houthi attack: MoFA

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it was in close touch with the authorities concerned regarding the death of a nation in a suspected drone attack by Houthi rebels on Abu Dhabi.

Emirati officials have informed that the explosion at Mussafah, near ADNOC’s storage tanks, has led to 3 casualties, which includes a Pakistani national.

A statement issued by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) cited that the Pakistani embassy in Abu Dhabi approaches the authorities in Abu Dhabi regarding the killing of a Pakistani national. The Pakistani embassy has been informed by the Abu Dhabi Police about the death of a Pakistani man.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the attack claimed by Houthi rebels on an oil facility in the Gulf state that killed three people, including Pakistani and Indians. “We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.  

Reports in Gulf media citing the initial probe said a small plane was found on the spot that could possibly be a drone at both sites that could have caused the explosion. Law enforcers cordoned the road leading to the area, where footage on social media had shown thick black smoke. 

Developing: Suspected drone attack by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on oil tankers near UAE’s Abu Dhabi airport, and on the site of Abu Dhabi airport expansion, has resulted in multiple explosions and at least three fatalities. #AbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/sUXHxNHJzE

— Alex Macheras (@AlexInAir) January 17, 2022

Following the panic in UAE, Etihad Airways responded to the development saying a small number of flights were briefly disrupted at Abu Dhabi airport in wake of precautionary measures, but normal operations quickly resumed.

Houthis claim Abu Dhabi attack response to UAE forces’ actions in Yemen

Houthi rebels, who were involved in a series of attacks against Saudi led coalition, claimed responsibility for targets in the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for the UAE’s role in a military offensive in Yemen last week.

As Saudi and gulf officials moved to engage directly with Iran and other rivals in recent times to avoid any wider conflict that could hurt regional economic ambitions, Houthis strikes back.

Yemen’s rebel group also warned it could target more facilities in the gulf country. The group’s military spokesman said the missiles and drones had been launched at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports, an oil refinery in Abu Dhabi’s Musaffah area, and other sensitive targets.

Meanwhile, UAE officials said the Houthi attack will not go unpunished. UAE reserves the right to respond to these terrorist attacks and criminal escalation, a statement cited.