Flags of the UAE and Sudan

The UAE.. A Model in Counterterrorism – Praise for its Multidimensional Strategic Vision

Over the past decade, the UAE has demonstrated its position as a pivotal regional player in combating terrorism in crisis zones, including Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan.

Through a multidimensional strategic vision that combines security and institutional support, community development, and humanitarian response, the UAE has played a central role in reducing the influence of terrorist organizations and empowering local forces, thereby contributing to social stability and creating environments less susceptible to extremism.

This approach has contributed to dismantling the organizational structures of Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Al-Shabaab, and has enabled local forces to assume responsibility for security in their areas.

This has garnered local and international praise, particularly from European partners, in recognition of the UAE's role in establishing effective counterterrorism strategies that combine field operations with a preventative approach, solidifying its position as a model to be emulated in managing regional crises.

The European Center for Counterterrorism and Intelligence Studies highlighted this approach, revealing part of the UAE's role in bolstering counterterrorism efforts in Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia.

So what did it say?

The European Center states that the UAE has, over the past decade, established an effective regional model for counterterrorism in crisis zones, including Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan.

It notes that the UAE has adopted a comprehensive approach combining military, diplomatic, and security measures, along with sustainable development and humanitarian response, to confront extremist organizations such as al-Qaeda, ISIS, al-Shabaab in Somalia, and the Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan.

Counterterrorism in Yemen

Over the past decade, Yemen has been one of the most complex regional arenas due to the interplay of political conflicts, civil wars, and the rise of extremist organizations, most notably al-Qaeda and ISIS, which exploited the state's collapse and the ongoing conflict to expand their influence.

The UAE in the Memory of Yemenis: A Honorable Role and Unforgettable Stances

In this context, the UAE's role has emerged as one of the most influential regional actors in counterterrorism efforts, through a comprehensive approach that combined military and security action, institutional support, development, and humanitarian response, according to the European Center.

Among its successes are the dismantling of al-Qaeda sleeper cells, the pursuit of terrorist leaders, and the drying up of funding sources, which has led to a significant decline in the organization's ability to carry out large-scale attacks.

Moreover, the UAE, as part of its efforts to enhance security sustainability, has supported the building and training of local Yemeni security forces. This aims to empower Yemenis to assume responsibility for maintaining security and combating terrorism in their own regions, contributing to the creation of security forces that are more familiar with the local environment and better equipped to deal with terrorist threats, compared to temporary military solutions.

Counterterrorism in Somalia

Terrorism in Somalia, led by Al-Shabaab and other affiliates such as ISIS-Somalia, represents a central threat to security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the MENA region, due to its cross-border effects and the flow of extremists, weapons, and fighters.

However, the UAE has played an increasingly important role in supporting Somalia in its fight against terrorism over the past decade, through security cooperation, institutional building, and political and diplomatic support within regional and international partnerships.

According to the European Center, the UAE has played a tangible role in strengthening Somalia’s and the region’s security capabilities in confronting ISIS and Al-Shabaab, thus contributing to a more effective operational response to terrorism there.

Counterterrorism in Sudan

With the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, regional and international concerns arose that the country could become an open arena for extremist groups, especially given its sensitive geographical location and proximity to the Red Sea region and the Horn of Africa.

At the London Conference on Supporting Sudan, which it co-hosted with the European Union and the African Union in April 2025, the UAE called for an international mechanism to monitor the flow of weapons into Sudan to prevent the arming of terrorist groups. It emphasized that lasting peace requires a civilian-led political transition, free from military control.