It is feared that Israel’s imminent invasion of Gaza could disrupt the fragile balance of power in the region, potentially drawing Hamas-supporting Iran into the conflict, along with other groups that it backs, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, has deepened ties with Israel in recent years and is allied with the US, which has already made both countries a target for attacks.
Two ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels at the Al-Dhafra base were intercepted by the US last year. They came a week after drone attacks on an Abu Dhabi oil depot, which killed three people, and at the international airport, virtually adjacent to Yas Marina, which started a fire.
Later in the year, another Houthi attack struck a Saudi Arabian oil facility during the Grand Prix weekend, which came close to cancellation during a fraught drivers’ meeting.
Should the situation escalate, then practical concerns could also threaten the Abu Dhabi race, with the potential for flight disruptions in the area.
F1 has not commented on the situation.