UAE Escalates: Freezes Pakistani Government Accounts, Orders Mass Expulsions

The Lebanese newspaper 'Al-Akhbar' reported today (Wednesday) that the United Arab Emirates has begun taking a series of measures against countries that, in one way or another, aided Iran. The first is Pakistan, which is known to be trying to mediate between Iran and the U.S.

According to the report, the UAE President, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ordered the withdrawal of the Emirati deposit from Pakistan. It was also decided to expel thousands of Pakistani citizens working in the Emirates, to freeze bank accounts serving the Pakistani government in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and to confiscate savings accounts.

According to a report in Maariv, the UAE did not stop at Pakistan and is also acting against Egypt, which has repeatedly called to halt the war. Authorities in the Emirates announced that Egyptian citizens will now be required to present a 'certificate of good conduct', and that entry visas will not be issued at this stage. In addition, thousands of Egyptians were asked 'to wrap up their business in the Emirates and return to Cairo within two months'.

It is worth noting that last night the UAE news agency reported that President Al Nahyan spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the report, Netanyahu condemned the Iranian attacks on civilians and civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates and expressed solidarity. As a reminder, Israel transferred the 'Iron Dome' system to the UAE, which helps intercept Iranian missiles.