Dubai: Four Emirati soldiers were among 15 members of the Saudi-led coalition and Yemeni troops who died on Tuesday when a hotel and other buildings in the southern Yemeni city of Aden were targeted in multiple terrorist attacks, Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday.
Speaking on Abu Dhabi TV, Dr Gargash said preliminary investigations indicated that the attacks involved four car bombs that targeted sites of the Yemeni government and the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Al Boraiqah district.
Further investigations are underway and the identity of the perpetrators would be known only after their outcome, he said. The attack on the Al Qasr Hotel and Resort also killed a number of Yemeni soldiers, agencies reported.
“Four of our brave soldiers have fallen in the line of duty in Aden,” the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces said earlier.
Yemen Vice-President and Prime Minister Khalid Bahah and several other ministers managed to escape the attacks unharmed, and their spokesman said they would remain in Aden to continue their work.
Commenting on earlier reports about the attacks, Dr Gargash said in the interview: “We thought there were some injured soldiers in Yemen today. However, the information changed and we condole ourselves on the martyrdom of four Emirati soldiers who were killed in Yemen today. Preliminary signs indicate that it was a terrorist attack and investigation is still underway to identify those responsible for the attack. Only a full investigation will reveal the identity of the perpetrators.”
News agencies quoted a Daesh statement, posted online, which said two bomb-laden vehicles driven by its members had struck the heavily fortified hotel.
Daesh also claimed in the online post that an unspecified number of soldiers were killed in the attacks allegedly involving suicide bombers.
However, the Saudi-led coalition said it was still investigating the full circumstances of the attacks.
Two scenarios
On whether the attacks were signs of the collapse of the enemy, Dr Gargash said: “I think there are two scenarios that show the rebellion is in a serious situation after the victory of the Arab coalition and the Yemeni resistance in Bab Al Mandab. There are signs of disintegration between the Al Houthi group and former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and their alliances. We realised that Saleh wants to leave Yemen and the military operations carried out by the Arab coalition are progressing despite the mines planted by rebels. Operation Restoring Hope is, therefore, progressing as evidenced by victories in Marib and Bab Al Mandab.
“The second scenario is the presence of jihadists and radical elements in Yemen who are being used by Saleh, taking advantage of their poverty. The solution is to adopt a political approach that puts Yemen back on the peaceful track.”
Responding to a question on Bahah, Dr Gargash said: “We praise the stance of the Vice-President, who refused evacuation and insisted on staying on in Aden. This is a brave stand by him. The Yemen government is now on the ground and it is the legitimate government and exercises its powers on the ground. We are determined to carry on with our role in Yemen. It is a strategic decision to participate within the Arab coalition. We highly appreciate the sacrifices of our martyrs. These sacrifices were necessary to safeguard this region and counter the challenges facing us in the region.”
Dr Gargash added that the attack on the Aden hotel “reinforces our need to destroy the forces of rebellion and destruction. We will continue in our endeavour until victory. And it is close.”
UAE troops have taken a leading role in driving Al Houthis from Aden and southern Yemen as they seek to reinstall the internationally recognised and legitimate government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi. The coalition has the backing of a United Nations Security Council resolution to restore the deposed government.
— With inputs from WAM & agencies
