2016 in the United Arab Emirates

This list details events that occurred in the UAE in 2016

← 2015 2014 2013 2016 in the United Arab Emirates → 2017 2018 2019
Decades:	1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
See also:	Other events of 2016 Timeline of Emirati history

Events

January

• January 5 - The UAE government blocked access to The New Arab, a Qatari-owned news website.^[1]

February

• February 10 - Ohoud Al Roumi is appointed as the UAE's first minister of happiness.^[2]

March

• March 2 - Hungary signed agreements with the UAE concerning nuclear energy and business.^[3]
• March 7-8 - US Vice President Joe Biden started his five-day trip to the Middle East with a visit to the UAE.^[4]
• March 9 - A storm hit UAE, cutting power and closing schools in Abu Dhabi and early dismissal in Dubai.^[5]
• March 22-24 - Michael X. Garrett, the commanding general of U.S. Army Central, met with key military leaders of the United Arab Emirates to discuss partnerships, military-to-military cooperation and future training opportunities.^[6]
• March 29 - A large fire hit at least two residential towers in the city of Ajman.^[7]

June

• June 29 - Emirati authorities block access to The Middle East Eye, which had been reporting on the country’s involvement in the war in Yemen as well as on human rights violations.^[8]

August

• August 3 - Emirates Flight 521 catches fire at Dubai International Airport; all passengers were saved but one firefighter is killed.^[9]

October

• October 2 - A military vessel operated by the UAE military is hit by rockets from Yemeni Houthi fighters.^[10]
• October 5 - A civilian ship passing through the Red Sea was attacked by Houthi fighters.^[11]

November

• November 1 - UAE establishes military base in eastern Libya.^[12]

December

• December 3 - King Salman of Saudi Arabia visited the UAE before meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).^[13]

Sports

August

• August 5-21 - 13 athletes from the United Arab Emirates competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.^[14]

November

• November 25-27 - The 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is held, which Lewis Hamilton went on to win.^[15]

References

1. Jackson, Jasper (2016-01-05). "Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt block access to Qatari-owned news website". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
2. "UAE names first minister of state for happiness". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
3. "Hungary signs cooperation accords with UAE". World Nuclear News. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
4. "Biden Vows US Will 'Squeeze the Heart' Out of IS". Voice of America. 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
5. Miller, Brandon (2016-03-09). "Rare storm batters Abu Dhabi". CNN. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
6. Martin, Youtoy. "USARCENT commander engages military leaders in UAE". DVIDS. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
7. "Ajman fire: Huge blaze hits UAE residential towers". BBC News. 2016-03-28. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
8. "UAE government blocks access to online news site 'Middle East Eye'". Civicus Monitor. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
9. Armstrong, Paul; Elwazer, Schams; Yan, Holly (2016-08-03). "Emirates plane catches fire in Dubai; hundreds escape, 1 firefighter killed". CNN. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
10. "Yemen's Houthis claim attack on UAE military vessel". Al Jazeera. October 2, 2016. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
11. "Yemen conflict: UAE says Houthis attacked civilian ship". BBC News. 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
12. "UAE establishes military base in eastern Libya with France's assistance to give Haftar's forces a hand | The Libya Observer". libyaobserver.ly. 2024-09-07. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
13. "King starts Gulf tour with UAE visit". Arab News. 2016-12-03. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
14. Rogers, Jack (2016-07-17). "Meet the UAE Olympic team – What's On Dubai". What's On. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
15. "F1 - The Official Home of Formula 1® Racing". Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website. Retrieved 2024-11-04.