SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 29 March 2024, Friday |

UAE has ‘legal’ right to self-defense against Houthi terrorist acts: Gargash

The UAE has a “legal and moral right” to defend itself against terrorist attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia, according to Dr. Anwar Gargash, the UAE president’s diplomatic adviser, as published by the official WAM news agency on Friday.

“The UAE has a legal and moral right to protect its territories, population, and sovereignty, and will utilize this right to defend itself and prevent terrorist crimes undertaken by the Houthi organization,” he said.

The remark was made during a phone discussion with Hans Grundberg, the UN Secretary-Special General’s Envoy to Yemen, during which the two discussed the nature of the Iran-backed Houthi attack in Abu Dhabi that resulted in a fuel tanker explosion that killed three people.

The UAE official also mentioned the Houthi militia’s expansion over the last three years, as well as their lack of involvement in a “political solution to the conflict,” as the pirate of the UAE-flagged ‘Rwabee’ ship adds another layer to the problem.

The Houthis, who are supported by Iran, captured the ship on January 3 off the Red Sea town of Hodeida, along with its 11-member crew, and refused a United Nations plea to return it.

Gargash urged the international community to take a “strong and clear stance” against “terrorist activities by the Houthi militia.”

He emphasized the group’s continuous violations of international laws and accords, most notably the Stockholm Agreement, which Gargash claims is visible at the port of Hodeida, which is purportedly being exploited.

With explosive-laden drones and ballistic missiles, Iran-backed militias often attack residential areas and oil sites in Saudi Arabia.

In recent months, the Arab Coalition has carried out operations against legitimate military Houthi targets in Yemen, advising civilians not to approach or assemble around the targeted areas beforehand.

The current drone strike in Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, is the first documented Iran-backed Houthi incident on UAE land.

Despite the UAE’s strong opposition to recent acts of violence, Gargash stated that the country will continue to “support international efforts for a ceasefire and a political settlement.”

    Source:
  • alarabiya