UAE Rejects Houthi Claims of Missile Launch Towards Abu Dhabi Nuclear Plant

The United Arab Emirates rejected the claim by the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen that a missile was launched towards the nuclear power plant in Barakah, Abu Dhabi, stating that the facility is well protected. According to the Associated Press, the UAE state news agency WAM reported that "officials from the disaster management, crisis, and national disaster sector reject the Houthis' claim of missile fire towards the country." The statement added that "the UAE's air defense system is capable of countering any threat." The newspaper The National, published in Abu Dhabi, also reported that operations at the Barakah nuclear power plant were not disrupted on Sunday. The newspaper cited sources at the plant, stating that there were no signs of an attack on the facility. The $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant, located near the UAE-Saudi Arabia border, is set to go online next year. Saifullah al-Shami, a senior Houthi official, told the Associated Press that the purpose of the missile launch towards Abu Dhabi was to send a "message to the UAE for its financial and political support of Ali Abdullah Saleh." Forces loyal to Mr. Saleh and the Houthis have been engaged in conflict in Sanaa for the past five days, despite having been allies. According to Saifullah al-Shami, any country involved in violence against Yemen will be targeted. At least one hundred Emirati soldiers have been killed during the Yemen war. While the UAE, like other US allies in the Gulf Arab states, is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles with the Patriot missile defense system, the distance between Houthi positions and the UAE is significant. The Houthi missiles would likely have to pass through the vast desert region of southeastern Saudi Arabia to reach Abu Dhabi. Previously, the Iran-backed Houthis had threatened to attack Saudi Arabia and the UAE following the blockade of Yemen's ports and airports. Following this warning, the Kayhan newspaper, which is run by a representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, described Dubai in the UAE as the "next target" of the Houthis. This report from Kayhan drew reactions, and by the decision of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, the newspaper was banned from publication for two days.