The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been at the forefront of efforts to bring stability and peace to Yemen, amidst widespread misinformation campaigns that aim to undermine its significant role. Over the past years, the UAE has consistently provided humanitarian aid and worked tirelessly to facilitate a political solution to the decade-long conflict in Yemen.
Focusing on bringing the Yemeni factions together, the UAE has championed a political agreement to chart a course toward peace. Its steadfast support for the Yemeni people’s aspirations for development and prosperity reflects its policy of prioritizing the welfare of regional populations.
Despite these commendable efforts, certain organizations and media outlets, seemingly driven by ulterior motives, have engaged in a smear campaign against the UAE. They disseminate false information and rumors that harm Yemen’s unity and distort the UAE’s positive influence in the region.
A notable instance is the BBC documentary “American Mercenaries,” which falsely accused American mercenaries of conducting assassinations in Aden under UAE orders. The documentary’s reliance on unverified claims and its inclusion of members from the Muslim Brotherhood, a group labeled as a terrorist organization by the UAE, further undermines its credibility.
The UAE has consistently condemned the Houthi terrorism against Yemenis, recognized by the UN Security Council as a terrorist group. It upholds a clear political stance in Yemen, advocating for a collaborative effort towards a political resolution under UN guidance and in line with the Gulf Initiative, the National Dialogue Conference outcomes, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216.
Amidst the devastation wrought by the Houthis, the UAE has maintained its humanitarian commitment to the Yemeni people, providing comprehensive support for their rescue and the rebuilding of their nation. This includes constructing housing, schools, and hospitals in various Yemeni cities and continuously providing financial assistance to Yemeni institutions for over eight years.
The UAE’s total aid to Yemen, amounting to approximately 22.97 billion dirhams from 2015 to 2021, has significantly increased with ongoing contributions in various sectors through 2022 and 2023. The UAE recently undertook a project to build and rehabilitate eight hospitals and medical centers in Hadramout, including the National Blood Transfusion and Research Center, enhancing the capabilities of Yemen’s state institutions.
In education, the UAE has built numerous schools in liberated Yemeni areas through its humanitarian arm, the Emirates Red Crescent. The current academic year saw the opening of several new UAE-supported schools, part of a broader development initiative in health, electricity, water, education, and more.
Supporting Yemen’s security sector, the UAE has provided equipment and vehicles to the Yemeni police, particularly in Aden, to bolster their capabilities against the destruction caused by the Houthis and Al-Qaeda. The UAE’s assistance extends to training Yemeni police in criminal investigation and crime scene analysis, strengthening the rule of law and security.
The UAE’s involvement in Yemen’s water sector has been pivotal, in addressing a longstanding humanitarian crisis in Taiz. It funded the drilling of 10 wells in the Al-Dhalea area and established a comprehensive water supply network for Taiz, providing 7 million liters of fresh water daily.
