UAE intercepts three hostile drones that penetrated country’s airspace on Wednesday

The UAE’s Ministry of Defense has intercepted and destroyed three hostile drones that had penetrated the country’s airspace in the early hours of Wednesday, February 2.

The announcement, made on Wednesday night, confirmed that the interception and destruction had occurred “away from populated areas.”

The ministry affirmed its “full readiness to deal with any threats,” adding that it will “take all necessary measures to protect the UAE from any attacks.”

MOD announces interception and destruction, away from populated areas, of three hostile drones that penetrated UAE airspace at dawn today, 2/2/2022. MOD confirms it is ready to deal with any threats and is taking all necessary measures to protect the state and its territory. pic.twitter.com/xXvbsQByP6

— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) February 2, 2022

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said yesterday that he had spoken with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, following the latest attack. The Secretary strongly condemned the hostile act and reviewed a “range of actions the Department of Defense is taking to support the UAE.”

These include “continuing to provide early warning intelligence, collaboration on air defence, and sending the US Navy guided missile destroyer USS Cole to partner with the UAE Navy before making a port call in Abu Dhabi.”

Furthermore, the Secretary informed Sheikh Mohamed of his decision to deploy 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft to assist the UAE.

I spoke with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince @MohamedBinZayed of the UAE to condemn recent Houthi attacks. To support the UAE against these threats, I will deploy 5th Gen Fighters to the region and send the USS Cole to conduct a joint patrol with the UAE Navy and a port call to Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/rf4ubqqGqT

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) February 2, 2022

The Wednesday attack was the second this week, and the fourth this month. On January 31, the UAE’s air defence forces had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards targets in the UAE. No casualties were reported.

Read: UAE intercepts ballistic missile targeting country; no casualties reported

In a similar incident on January 24, the UAE had intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards the UAE, with no casualties reported from attack.

Read also: UAE intercepts two missiles over Abu Dhabi

However, in the first attack on January 17, projectiles were fired towards the Abu Dhabi International Airport as well as petroleum storage tankers in ICAD 3, Mussafah, near ADNOC’s storage tanks.

Read: Abu Dhabi Police confirms explosion of three petroleum tankers

The attack on the storage tanks had resulted in the deaths of three individuals.