One of the United Arab Emirates’ embassies was attacked early on Tuesday, hours after the Gulf country condemned on Monday that it was being unfairly targeted in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, sparked by joint US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28.
Tuesday’s attack took place in Iraqi Kurdistan in Erbil, the consulate was damaged in a drone attack. There were no casualties.
In response, the UAE Foreign Ministry said the attack represented a “dangerous escalation and threat to regional security and stability”, adding that “the targeting of diplomatic missions and premises is a clear violation of all international norms and laws”.
However, the Foreign Ministry did not say where the drone was launched from.
Tuesday’s attack comes after the United Arab Emirates said it had been targeted in a “very unjustified way” despite not wanting to be drawn into the conflict and not taking part in attacks against Iran.
Australia sends missiles, planes to UAE
It also comes after Australia announced on Monday it would send missiles and aircraft to the United Arab Emirates – a move to help the Gulf states protect themselves.
“Our involvement is purely defensive,” Albanese told reporters, explaining that the move was “to defend the Australians who are in the region, as well as to defend our friends in the United Arab Emirates.”
Albanese said Australia will deploy one of its Boeing-made E-7A Wedgetail aircraft for the first four weeks to protect the airspace over the Gulf countries.
Advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles will be provided to the UAE after a phone call with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, he added.
Will the war end soon? What Trump said
The conflict in the Middle East has passed the 10-day mark, but US President Donald Trump hinted on Monday that it could end soon.
“We’re going to end all of these threats once and for all, and the result will be lower oil, crude and gas prices for American families,” Trump said.
Later in the day, he also called the US military campaign in Iran temporary.
“We took a little excursion (to the Middle East) to get rid of some evil. And I think you’re going to see that it’s going to be a short-term excursion,” Trump said.
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