Dubai/Geneva – The United Arab Emirates on Monday announced the death of two military personnel in a helicopter crash, even as its top diplomat in Geneva issued a strong condemnation of the “unwarranted” Iranian attacks that have repeatedly struck the nation since the beginning of the Middle East war.
In a statement posted on X, the Ministry of Defence expressed its condolences, announcing “the martyrdom of two members of the armed forces following the crash of a helicopter due to a technical malfunction while performing their national duty.”
‘We Will Not Partake’
Speaking to the UN correspondents’ association ACANU in Geneva, the UAE’s ambassador, Jamal Al Musharakh, made the country’s position unequivocally clear amid the escalating conflict.
“The UAE does not seek to be drawn into conflict or escalation,” Musharakh stated. He emphasized that the Emirates has been consistent in its stance: “We will not partake in any attacks against Iran from our territory, and that we will not be involved in such a conflict. Our bases are not being used to attack Iran.”
This declaration comes despite the UAE being subjected to a relentless campaign of retaliation from Tehran since the US and Israel launched their initial strikes on February 28.
A Barrage of Attacks
Ambassador Musharakh revealed the staggering scale of the assault on his country. Since the conflict began, the UAE has faced more than 1,400 attacks, including cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones.
“Thankfully, the vast majority were intercepted and neutralised” by the UAE’s armed forces, he noted. However, the sheer volume underscores the country’s precarious position as a theater for this regional war.
The ambassador condemned the “unprovoked targeting” of civilian infrastructure, including desalination and energy plants, as “unacceptable.” He confirmed the tragic human cost: “These attacks have resulted in four civilian fatalities, as well as 114 minor injuries.”
A Plea for Diplomacy
Musharakh stressed that the UAE had been a consistent voice for peace, constantly calling for negotiation, diplomacy, and de-escalation. This latest round of violence erupted just two days after the US and Iran had held a third round of indirect talks in Geneva regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
“Yet we are being targeted, frankly, in a very unwarranted manner,” he lamented, reiterating the UAE’s call for a return to the negotiating table.
