Somalia joins World in deploring Houthi attack on UAE

The relations between Somalia and UAE have been at a low point since Farmajo sided with Qatar after the Gulf diplomatic crisis began in 2017.

News Keydmedia Online
18 January 2022

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Monday's deadly attack on the United Arab Emirates [UAE] by the Yemen-based Iran-aligned Houthi group has drawn a chorus of condemnation from the world. 

Somalia, a war-ravaged country in East Africa has joined the rest of the international community in deploring the drone raid on UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi that left at least three people dead.

The Foreign Affairs Minister of Somalia Abdi Said Muse described the attack as a "terrorist act" that poses a serious threat to the region and the world, says his country stands by the UAE.

The relations between Somalia and UAE have been at a low point since president Farmajo sided with Qatar which funded his election after the Gulf diplomatic crisis began in June 2017.

Early this week, Somali PM Mohamed Hussein Roble has publicly apologized for the seizure of $9.6 million at Mogadishu airport in April 2018 and promised to release the cash.

However, Farmajo has rejected the release of the money from the central bank and his office ordered the governor not to heed the PM's directive. This comes amid a standoff in Somalia.

Houthi spokesman said they fired five ballistic missiles and “a large number” of drones at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, an oil refinery in Musaffah, and several “sensitive” sites in the UAE.

The UAE's State media said those killed were two Indians and a Pakistani with six injured in the attack which is the first on the Gulf nation since the Saudi coalition invaded Yemen in 2015.

The bombing in UAE could hamper efforts to contain regional tensions, as Washington and Tehran work to secure a nuclear deal following the resumption of the talks in Vienna last month.

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