ABU DHABI (Dispatches) – A fire and an explosion in Abu Dhabi have prompted a warning of a possible attack following a series of retaliatory drone and missile assaults by Yemen.
The blast struck Hamdan Street in the UAE capital as it hosts the FIFA Club World Cup. Journalists from Brazil covering Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras’ win against Egypt’s Al Ahly initially reported on the explosion.
The U.S. embassy issued a security alert after the blast just after midnight sent a fireball into the sky and set off a blaze. It warned that “there are reports of a possible missile or drone strike having occurred” over the city.
The state-run WAM news agency described the fire just after midnight as coming from “a gas cylinder explosion.”
“The process of cooling and limiting the damage caused by the fire is underway,” WAM said.
However, as the news broke, there were reports of heavy bombing of the Yemeni capital by Saudi-led coalition warplanes.
Social media activists also said the attack was caused by a Yemeni missile strike.
In the past, Yemen’s retaliatory attacks on the UAE have been followed by heavy bombings of Yemeni cities, especially Sana’a, by the Saudi-led coalition.
The UAE has been on alert since January 17, when Yemeni armed forces conducted a drone and missile attack against the Persian Gulf country over its involvement in the war on Yemen.

UAE Being Turned Into Base to Attack Neighbors

The U.S. military commander for the West Asia region has revealed plans to boost the United Arab Emirates missile systems to fight neighboring countries.
The commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), who traveled to the Emirates following Yemen’s defense forces retaliatory attacks against neighboring UAE’s sensitive spots, says that American forces are working on the Arab state to develop its counter-drone systems.
“We are working with our partners here in the region and with the industry back in the United States to develop solutions that would work against drones,” Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie told UAE state news agency WAM in an interview. “We would like to work against drones what we call ‘Left of Launch,’ [meaning] before they can be launched.”
“And if you can’t do that, you will certainly be able to shoot them down as they reach their intended target,” the marine commander said.
The UAE is already being supported with the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD); however, it has failed to intercept retaliatory attacks.