Abela reaffirms Malta’s solidarity with UAE amid Iranian attacks

Prime Minister Robert Abela has reaffirmed Malta’s solidarity with the United Arab Emirates as the country comes under sustained Iranian missile and drone attacks.

“I thanked the UAE for assisting Maltese citizens and discussed the need to uphold international law and pursue dialogue for regional stability,” Abela said during a telephone call with UAE President His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

The UAE has been the most heavily targeted country in the Gulf since Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles and drones on 28 February, in retaliation for a coordinated US-Israeli strike on Iran. 

Since then, the UAE has had to ward off hundreds of missiles and over a thousand drones, with six people killed and over 140 injured. 

Key sites including Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, and the Fujairah oil hub have all been struck or affected by debris from interceptions. 

On Saturday, Iran issued evacuation warnings for three major UAE ports, including Jebel Ali, the busiest in the Middle East, marking the first time Tehran openly threatened its neighbour’s non-US assets.

Abela said the two leaders also discussed the assistance the UAE has provided to Maltese citizens caught up in the ongoing conflict, underlining the close ties between the two countries.