Two Indian nationals and one Pakistani were identified by Emirati police as the victims. A number of people were also injured in an area where Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company operates a pipeline network as well as an oil tanker storage center. According to police, they sustained minor to moderate injuries.
Anwar Gargash, a senior Emirati diplomat, blamed the Houthis. He stated on Twitter that Emirati authorities handled the "vicious attack" on "some civilian facilities" in Dubai's capital with "transparency & responsibility."
He tweeted, "The tampering with the region's security is too weak to impact the stability and safety within which we live."
Three transport tankers set themselves ablaze at the oil facility. Another fire broke out at Abu Dhabi International Airport's extension.
According to police, an investigation is underway. Initial findings suggest that small flying objects, possibly drones, fell in the area and could have caused the fire and explosion. The incidents did not cause any significant damage, but police didn't provide further details.
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on the United Arab Emirates on Monday. However, they didn't provide any details. Although the UAE has mostly withdrawn its forces from the war on Yemen, it continues to support Yemeni militias and is actively involved in the conflict.
This incident occurs as the Houthis are under pressure and suffering severe losses. Yemeni forces, supported by the UAE and allies, have defeated rebels in key central and southern provinces. This defeats Houthi attempts to take control of Yemen's northern half.
Yemen's government-aligned force seized the entire southern province Shabwa from Houthis earlier in the month, and advanced into nearby Marib province. They were assisted by the UAE-backed Giants Brigades, and received support from Saudi airstrikes.
Saudi Arabia condemned Monday’s attack on Abu Dhabi and called it a "cowardly terrorist attack" which shows the dangers posed to the Houthis. Saudi Arabia, along with the United States, U.N. specialists, and others, have accused Iran that it supplied arms to the Houthis.
The UAE was a key partner in the Saudi-led coalition, which has waged war on the Houthis ever since 2015. It aims to restore the internationally supported government that was overthrown by rebels the year before.
Although Emirati troops were killed in conflict, it is now eight years old and has not affected daily life in UAE. This country boasts a large foreign workforce, which is home to Dubai, a glamorous city with skyscrapers, five-star hotels, and a host of other attractions.
Police described the Abu Dhabi airport fire as minor and occurred at an extension of the airport, which is still being built. The airport that is home to Etihad Airways has been constructing its new Midfield Terminal for years. However, it was unclear if this was the location of the fire.
Etihad Airways stated that "precautionary actions resulted in short disruption for small numbers of flights" and that operations at the airport have resumed normal. Abu Dhabi Airports did no immediate respond to a request.
Three petroleum transport tankers were also struck by the blast near the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.'s Musaffah industrial zone. It is described by the company as a terminal and pipeline facility that is located approximately 22 km (13 miles) away from Abu Dhabi's center. 36 storage tanks are also used to fuel transport trucks.
It is also close to Al-Dhafra Air Base which hosts U.S. forces and French troops. U.S. Air Force Colonel General Andrew Clark, Al-Dhafra Air Base commander of American forces, stated in a statement to The Associated Press, "no incidents" occurred at the base during the attack.
"U.S. He said that the U.S. forces were ready to support and assist Emirati partners upon request.
The ADNOC facility, where the tankers caught on fire, is located approximately 1,800 km (1,100 mi) northeast of Saada. This is the stronghold of the Houthis in Yemen.
This incident occurred while South Korea's President Moon Jaein was visiting the UAE. According to reports, the two countries reached an initial deal worth $3.5 billion to sell South Korean surface-to air missiles with the UAE during a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emirati Prime Minister.
Earlier in the day, the South Korean president attended an Emirati Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei's event. He declined to comment on the explosion of ADNOC's facility. Instead, he told the AP that the police would update the AP on their investigation.
Bomb-laden drones were used by the Houthis to launch crude and precise attacks against Saudi Arabia and UAE. They have also used missiles to attack Saudi oil facilities, pipelines and airports.
The Houthis took an Emirati flagged ship in the Red Sea earlier this month. This route is crucial for international trade and energy shipments.
Although Houthi attacks have caused civilian deaths in Saudi Arabia, no deaths were reported in the UAE.
Yemen has been the site of the majority of civilian casualties in this conflict. Yemen has seen 130,000 civilian deaths, fighters included. This has contributed to the country's hunger and poverty.
Torbjorn Soltvedt is an analyst at Verisk Maplecroft's risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. He noted that although the Houthis claim responsibility for the attack on the UAE and Iraqi-based militias have threatened the UAE as a response to Emirati interference with Iraqi politics.
He stated that the attack highlighted the drone and missile threat to the UAE and other major oil producers in the region. He stated that unless the Gulf Arab states can find a way to diffuse regional tensions, they will be vulnerable to attacks.
