A fire broke out near Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) in the United Arab Emirates, after a suspected drone attack carried out by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement.  

Shortly after the incident, UAE-based airline Etihad Airways suspended flights between Abu Dhabi and Madinah.  

However, the airline confirmed to Reuters that operations have now returned to normal. 

The attack occurred on January 17, 2022, close to storage facilities owned by major oil firm ADNOC. Three people were killed and six were wounded after three fuel tanker trucks exploded, causing a fire near AUX airport.  

According to media reports, Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the drone attack. 

“Preliminary investigations indicate the detection of small flying objects, possibly belonging to drones, that fell in the two areas and may have caused the explosion and fire,” Abu Dhabi police confirmed to WAM.  

Local authorities have opened an investigation into the incident.