Abu Dhabi attacks: Israel condemns killings of 2 Indians

ISRAEL has strongly condemned the terror attacks in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday (17) that killed three persons, including two Indian nationals.

It also expressed condolences to the government and people of India.

Lior Haiat, the spokesperson of Israel’s ministry of foreign affairs, said in a tweet, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the terrorist attacks on Abu Dhabi and regrets the loss of innocent life. We send our sincere condolences to the government and people of India as well as to the families of the victims.”

ALSO READ: UAE: 2 Indians killed in suspected drone attack

Yemenis inspect the damage following overnight air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition targeting the Huthi rebel-held capital Sanaa on January 18, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli ambassador to India Naor Gilon also spoke on the incident in a tweet saying, “#Israel sends its condolences to #India for the death of 2 Indian citizens in the Abu Dhabi terror attack.”

Indian external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also expressed solidarity with the UAE in face of such “unacceptable” acts in a phone call with his counterpart in the Gulf nation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The latter also condoled the deaths of the Indians.

“Deeply appreciate receiving a call from UAE FM @ABZayed. He expressed condolences for the Indian lives lost in the terror attack in UAE yesterday. Conveyed our strong solidarity with UAE in face of such unacceptable acts,” Jaishankar tweeted.

“Our Embassy is working with UAE authorities to provide the fullest support to families of the deceased,” he added.

The Indian duo besides a Pakistani national were killed while at least six people got injured after three petroleum tanker trucks exploded after catching fire near a major oil storage facility in the Mussafah area of Abu Dhabi, according to the UAE’s official news agency WAM. It was suspected to be a drone attack carried out by the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

On Monday, the UAE slammed the Houthi attack that was behind the deaths of the three individuals.

“We condemn the Houthi militia’s targeting of civilian areas and facilities on UAE soil. We reiterate that those responsible for this unlawful targeting of our country will be held accountable,” Zayed Al Nahyan said in a statement.

He also said that the UAE reserves the right to respond to the terrorist attacks and criminal escalation, calling them as crimes committed in flagrant violation of international law.

The incident in Abu Dhabi fuelled the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi Arabia-led coalition as the latter launched airstrikes in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, a day after the Abu Dhabi incident in which 20 people were killed, Houthi forces said. The UAE is a partner in the Saudi-led coalition.

Slain Indians identified: Indian embassy

Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in the UAE on Tuesday (18) said the two Indians killed in the suspected drone attack were identified and efforts were underway to return their mortal remains home.

In a tweet, the embassy said, “Identities of 2 deceased Indian nationals established.” It added that the embassy officials “are in touch with their family members. The Mission is working closely with UAE authorities, including ADNOC, for early repatriation of mortal remains”.

In another tweet, it said that of the six injured, two are Indian nationals and they were discharged after receiving medical treatment.