ABU DHABI — In a decisive statement aimed at quelling mounting speculation, the United Arab Emirates has formally denied reports alleging its planned participation in a future ground offensive targeting the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. This position was articulated by the UAE’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, who stressed that such claims circulating in international and regional media are unfounded and do not reflect Emirati security or diplomatic policy.
The denial comes at a time of escalating violence and uncertainty in the Middle East, as Iran’s proxies—including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza—wage coordinated campaigns threatening Israeli and Arab stability. In recent months, the Houthis have ramped up attacks on international commercial shipping in the Red Sea and threatened Gulf states, drawing international attention and military preparations from the United States and regional partners.
Clarification Amid Disinformation
“The United Arab Emirates categorically denies any participation, present or planned, in ground combat operations against the Houthi militia in Yemen. The country’s engagement remains strictly limited to diplomatic and humanitarian efforts,” the Emirati statement read. This categorical rejection aligns with the UAE’s strategy since its drawdown of direct military operations in Yemen in 2019, reflecting both war fatigue and shifting national priorities.
The reports suggesting Emirati involvement in new ground operations surfaced recently, appearing in part to coordinate with an increasingly aggressive information campaign by outlets sympathetic to the Iranian “Axis of Resistance.” These narratives often frame Israel and its new Arab partners under the Abraham Accords as instigators of aggression, despite overwhelming evidence of Iranian subversion across the region.
Regional Context: Iran’s Proxy Network
The ongoing conflict in Yemen is widely recognized as a front in a much larger regional confrontation, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps providing direct arms, funding, and tactical guidance to the Houthis. The militia’s campaign of missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and international shipping has forced the region’s states to reevaluate collective security arrangements and enhance intelligence cooperation between Abraham Accords partners.
Israel, meanwhile, has confronted constant threats from Iranian-backed forces since the October 7, 2023, massacre perpetrated by Hamas terrorists—an atrocity recognized internationally as the deadliest antisemitic event since the Holocaust. In the wake of those attacks, Israeli and Gulf states have deepened intelligence-sharing and regional air defense integration but remain wary of direct ground intervention against other Iranian proxies without broad international support.
UAE’s Cautious Security Doctrine
Since reducing its combat footprint in Yemen, the UAE has focused on supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government through humanitarian aid, development projects, and diplomatic mediation. Officials emphasize that any UAE contribution to Yemen’s stability will not involve deployment of ground forces, a position reaffirmed in recent weeks amid renewed rumors.
Analysts indicate that the UAE’s careful posture is informed by lessons learned during its earlier interventions, security cooperation with Western powers and Israel, and an understanding of the risks involved in deeper entanglement with Iran’s regional networks. “The UAE recognizes that direct military escalation could unleash broader destabilization and play into the hands of Iranian-aligned groups,” said a senior Gulf security analyst.
The Broader Strategic Setting
The Iranian regime’s support for the Houthis—mirrored in its ties to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad—serves a clear purpose: to project power, destabilize rival states, and wage asymmetric warfare against Israel and US interests. The Houthis’ missile arsenals and operational reach have grown, as evidenced by their attacks on Saudi oil facilities and shipping lanes linking Europe and Asia.
To confront these threats, Israel and Gulf states have prioritized enhanced cooperation in air defense, maritime security, and counter-terror intelligence-sharing. Proposed measures include potential deployment of Israeli systems such as Iron Dome and joint naval patrols safeguarding Red Sea corridors. Yet, as the UAE’s latest announcement demonstrates, the preference remains for defensive strategies and diplomatic engagement, not the escalation of direct military entanglement.
The Stakes for Israel and Regional Stability
The Houthis’ continued presence as an Iranian proxy in the Arabian Peninsula directly threatens commercial and military interests of Israel, the United States, and Gulf monarchies. Western naval operations—underpinned by US, UK, and Israeli cooperation—continue in the Red Sea, aiming to preserve freedom of navigation and choke off weapons supplies to terror networks.
Within this context, UAE officials face pressure to clarify military intentions and avoid the perception of supporting offensive action that could derail fragile progress under the Abraham Accords. Israeli government sources expressed appreciation for Abu Dhabi’s transparent, prudent approach, emphasizing the shared threat posed by Tehran’s expanding terror network—an axis intent on undermining both Israel’s security and the sovereign stability of neighboring Arab states.
Conclusion: United Against the Iranian Threat
As the region remains locked in a war imposed by Iran and its proxies, the UAE’s unequivocal rejection of involvement in a new ground operation against the Houthis highlights the preference of moderate states for de-escalation, multilateral diplomacy, and cooperative defense. This stance supports Israeli and allied interests, fortifying the alliance of responsible nations determined to prevent further Iranian destabilization, safeguard international maritime trade, and uphold secure, sovereign borders against the threat of terrorism.
