The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and several Arab countries expressed their full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, affirming their unwavering support for all measures taken to protect its security, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens. This unified stance followed the terrorist attacks launched by the Houthi militia targeting civilian facilities in the capital, Abu Dhabi, which resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians.
Strongly worded statements of condemnation and denunciation were issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the State of Qatar, in addition to the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council. These statements affirmed that the security of the UAE is an integral part of the security and stability of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and that any attack targeting it is an attack on the security of the entire Council. They stressed the need for the international community to stand firmly against these terrorist acts that threaten regional and international peace and security.
General context and historical background
These attacks come amid the ongoing conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition supporting the legitimate Yemeni government against the Iranian-backed Houthi militia. The United Arab Emirates has been an active member of this coalition, playing a pivotal role in liberating numerous Yemeni regions. Despite announcing the withdrawal of most of its forces from Yemen in 2019, it remains a target for the militia due to its continued support for anti-Houthi forces. These attacks represent a dangerous escalation aimed at expanding the conflict beyond Yemen's borders and threatening the stability of one of the region's most important economic hubs.
Importance and expected impact
Regionally, this Gulf solidarity reflects the strength and cohesion of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in confronting shared threats and sends a clear message of deterrence to the Houthi militia and its supporters that the security of the Gulf states is a red line. It also reinforces the UAE's position calling for the Houthis to be designated an international terrorist organization and puts pressure on the international community to take more stringent measures to halt the flow of Iranian weapons to them. Internationally, these attacks have once again highlighted the danger of transnational terrorism and its impact on global energy security and the stability of vital shipping lanes, prompting many major powers, including the United States and European countries, to condemn the attack and reaffirm their commitment to the security of their Gulf partners.
