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Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said attacks on civilian infrastructure in the region are completely unacceptable.
He condemned attacks on schools, universities, hospitals, desalination plants, energy facilities, transport sites and residential areas, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Abdullah said there was no justification for threatening to strike such targets, let alone carrying out the attacks. Turning energy installations, ports, airports and international trade routes into military targets does not threaten states alone, but poses severe risks to the stability of the global economy and critical supply chains, as well as undermining regional and international security, he said.
Civilian infrastructure is not a theatre of war, said Sheikh Abdullah. He added that attacks on such facilities constituted a dangerous escalation and a red line that would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
There needs to be an urgent and immediate cessation of these hostilities and efforts to ensure “the protection of civilian lives and civilian infrastructure”, he said, warning of the grave consequences of continued escalation.
Since the start of the Iranian attacks on February 28, UAE air defence systems have intercepted 414 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,914 drones. Six people were injured by shrapnel in the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning, after an Iranian ballistic missile was intercepted.
Authorities said minor to moderate injuries were sustained by five Indian citizens and a Pakistani “following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems”. Eight civilians have died and more than 170 have been injured since the Iranian attacks began.
