UAE Looks to US, Israel To Strengthen Air Defenses After Attack
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Friday, January 21, 2022! The United Arab Emirates, under attack from Yemen's Houthi militia, is looking for quick help from two allies, one old, one new, to strengthen its air defenses. Both the United States and Israel are responding. The UAE's leader, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussed his country's needs with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin immediately after the deadly missile and drone attack. Hurried meetings continue in Washington with defense groups and members of Congress. In Israel, with recognition by the UAE, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett offered "any assistance," and one Israeli defense company said the UAE wants its new Israeli-made anti-drone systems.
The credit agency S&P says the attack on Abu Dhabi didn't affect its ratings because it had already factored in the risks and doesn't see any direct military conflict with Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the nuclear talks are at a decisive moment. France says the talks aren't focusing on the heart of the issues, and that February will be the critical month.
Iran is starting naval drills in the Indian Ocean with Russia and China. Iran wants South Korea to release frozen funds so it can pay its United Nations dues and regain voting rights. Saudi Arabia convicts a former ambassador for selling visas. The UAE says OPEC+ alone can't assure global oil supply, that big international oil companies must spend and invest capital. Libya's prime minister came up with a plan to pay for the marriages of young people, but critics say it encourages young girls from poor families to get married.
News from New York, Aramco, Yemen, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and More.
Late News:
AFP, Air strike on Yemen prison leaves more than 200 dead or wounded.
India.com, Yemen suffers nationwide internet outage after Saudi-led airstrikes target Hodeida City: report.
Reuters, UK's Prince William to Visit UAE next month.
Israeli media reported that the United Arab Emirates wants to acquire new Israeli-made anti-drone systems. The UAE is moving quickly to strengthen its air defense after a deadly missile and drone attack on Abu Dhabi, and one Israeli company said it's being asked to act "as soon as possible." "Due to the incident that happened this week, they are now asking us what we can supply them with as soon as possible out of a long list of systems," an Israeli company's chief officer said.
Al Monitor, UAE seeks Pentagon's support following drone attack on Abu Dhabi.
Al Manar, UAE to expand use of Israeli air defense tech: Israeli media.
TV7 Israel News, Israel offers defense support to UAE.
Credit agency S&P Global said it had already factored in geopolitical risks for Abu Dhabi before the missile attack. "Abu Dhabi ratings already capture the risks from unpredictable Gulf geopolitics," S&P said in a report, citing the "exceptional strength" of Abu Dhabi's finances. "More generally, we do not expect tensions between Iran and its proxies and Gulf Cooperation Council countries will lead to direct military conflict," S&P said.
Reuters, S&P says Houthi drone strike risks already factored into Abu Dhabi credit rating.
The Iran nuclear talks are at a "decisive moment." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Washington and its allies may change tactics if a deal isn't reached in coming weeks. Blinken said the longer Iran fails to comply with the 2015 Vienna accord, the closer it gets to building a nuclear weapon. "We are indeed at a decisive moment," he said.
Associated Press, US says nuclear talks with Iran at 'decisive moment.'
France said the nuclear talks in Vienna need a change of approach because they aren't getting to the heart of the deal. A French diplomatic source said the talks haven't included key subjects. "We will not be able to do it if Iran continues on this trajectory at nuclear level and if the negotiation proceeds in the same way," the source said.
"I think the month of February will be absolutely decisive."
Reuters, Iran nuclear talks need change of approach, February decisive: French source.
Iran will start naval drills Friday with Russia and China. This will be the third joint naval drill between the three countries, will be called the "2022 Marine Security Belt" exercise, and will take place in the Indian Ocean's north waters. From Iran's perspective, it's part of a "look east" policy being pushed by Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Naval drills between China, Russia and Iran start Friday.
The Hill, Iran announces naval drills with Russia, China.
Iran wants South Korea to release frozen funds so it can pay its UN dues. South Korean government sources said Seoul and Tehran are consulting, and South Korea is in related talks with the United Nations and the United States. Iran is trying to find funds it can use to pay its overdue UN bill, following notice by the UN that it lost its vote.
IranIntl, Iran seeks to use money frozen in South Korea to pay its UN dues.
Saudi Arabia convicted a former ambassador for selling visas for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The ambassador wasn't identified, nor was the country where he sold the visas, but he was convicted of bribery and abuse, fined, and sentenced to six years in prison. Saudi officials released a lengthy list of corruption cases, including one of a public prosecutor who was convicted for asking for money to dismiss a case.
Arab News, Saudi authority gives details of corruption cases in progress and rulings issued in others.
Saudi Aramco signed multiple agreements with companies in South Korea. Amin Nasser, Aramco's chief executive officer, said the deals will help Aramco find climate solutions, lower greenhouse gas emission by developing hydrogen and ammonia production, and capture and store carbon.
Oil Review, Aramco signs multiple agreements during the Saudi-Korean investment forum.
The United Arab Emirates says OPEC+ alone can't solve the world's oil supply issues. Energy Minister Suhail Al-Mazrouei said the industry needs investment by international oil companies to get adequate supplies. He warned that if sufficient capital isn't supplied, price increases could follow.
Bloomberg, OPEC+ alone cannot solve world's oil supply issues, UAE says.
A United States air strike in Yemen killed an Al Qaeda military commander who had been with Osama Bin Laden. An intelligence site reported that AQAP, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, said the commander was killed, but did not give any date or location for the strike. The Al Qaeda officer known as Abu Umayr al-Hadhrami was a former associate of Bin Laden, leader of Al Qaeda who was killed by the United States in 2011.
National Post, Intelligence group says AQAP announces death of former Bin Laden associate in U.S. strike in Yemen.
New York City returned two looted artifacts to Iraq after they were seized from a U.S. billionaire businessman. One object is a golden bowl valued at $200,000, the other is an ivory plaque. Michael H. Steinhardt had collected antiquities and struck an agreement with Manhattan prosecutors to return 180 items valued at $70 million. Officials said the two Iraqi items were looted during periods of war and unrest.
New York Times, Manhattan prosecutors return two artifacts to Iraq.
A private museum in Lebanon returned five Roman artifacts to Syria. The limestone statues and carved funerary stones came from the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, and the Lebanese collector, Jawad Adra, acquired them from European auction houses before the Syrian civil war started in 2011. Adra described the return of the antiquities to Syria as "a generous initiative."
Ashraq Al-Awsat, Lebanese museum returns artifacts from Syria's Palmyra.
The Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr wants security forces to find militia groups behind increasing violence in the country and hold them accountable. Al-Sadr, whose party controls the Iraqi parliament and is waiting to form a new government, spoke out after the Kurdish deputy speaker of parliament was attacked with a grenade in Kirkuk. Al-Sadr said the "wise men of these factions" must prevent their parties from committing violations.
Basnews, Sadr criticizes groups behind recent political violence in Iraq.
An Islamic State group attacked a Kurdish-run jail in northeast Syria and freed prisoners. The reports on the breakout did not specify how many prisoners fled, but the escape took place after a car bomb hit the entrance of Ghwayran prison and IS forces attacked Kurdish security officers. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the incident, saying sleeper cells in the neighborhood were involved. The area was cordoned off, and aircraft of the U.S.-led coalition in Syria responded and dropped flares in the vicinity.
AFP, IS attacks Syria prison, freeing jihadists: monitor.
The United States won't resume economic aid to Sudan until the violence ends and a civilian-led government is restored. The U.S. embassy in Khartoum also said the U.S. could hold accountable those who don't move forward to create a "peaceful environment." The embassy announcement came during a visit by two U.S. senior State Department diplomats. Meanwhile, Sudan's military chief, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, appointed 15 ministers.
Reuters, U.S. won't resume assistance to Sudan without civilian governent: statement.
Al Arabiya, Sudan military chief Burhan announces ministerial appointments: sovereign council.
Turkey and the United Arab Emirates agreed on a $5 billion swap in local currencies, in a sign of warming diplomatic relations. The exchange gives Ankara needed financial support as it continues to face economic turmoil. Turkey can tap the foreign currency to strengthen its reserves, now at a two-decade low. Turkey's lira lost 44% to the dollar last year.
Reuters, Turkey strikes currency swap deal with UAE as ties warm.
Qatar has settled a lawsuit it had filed against two United Arab Emirates banks. The regional rift that started in 2017 spurred the suit, which Qatar filed in 2020, saying the banks had tried to devalue Qatar's currency. Qatar had sought about $130 million from the banks The case was resolved this month in London's High Court after Gulf nations made peace with Qatar.
Doha News, Qatar settles currency manipulation lawsuit against the UAE.
Libya's prime minister is trying to pay young people to get married, but critics say he's only forcing young girls from poor families into government-funded marriages, just for the money. Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh established a government fund that paid $8,700 to young couples, replacing a system of group weddings often funded by non-profit organizations because wedding expenses were higher than many could afford. Critics of the government plan said the money would be better spent on housing for young people.
Al Monitor, Libyan government's push to promote marriages faces backlash.
The United States no longer supports the proposed EastMed natural gas pipeline that would run from Israel to Europe. The Biden administration informed Israel, Greece, and Cyprus that it won't support the pipeline, reportedly because of economic and environmental concerns. Washington first informed Greece in a "non-paper," a diplomatic term for an off-the-record communication.
Jerusalem Post, US informs Israel it no longer supports EastMed pipeline to Europe.
MORE: Lebanon's healthcare on brink of collapse amid crisis, says minister, Reuters... In rare move, China discloses oil imports from Iran, OilPrice... Egypt signs oil and petroleum agreements worth $506 million, ministry says, Reuters... South Korea expects to sign MOU for $1 bln soft loan to Egypt, Reuters... Groups: 6 killed in rocket attack on northern town in Syria, Associated Press... Israel signs $3.4 bln submarines deal with Thyssenkrupp, Reuters... Oman seeks $3-4 bln in talks to refinance loan - sources, Reuters.
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Doha Institute, How the battle for Shabwa is likely to affect the trajectory of war in Yemen.
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Arab News, Why Israel is waging a shadow war with Iran's IRGC in Syria.