UAE CI/KR RESPONSE FOR S/CT

S E C R E T ABU DHABI 000296 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR S/CT (CLARK, ROBERTSON) AND NEA/ARP (MASILKO) E.O. 12958: 03/11/2019 TAGS: PTER PGOV ASEC MARR EFIN ENRG KCIP AE SUBJECT: UAE CI/KR RESPONSE FOR S/CT CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR RICHARD G. OLSON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D REF: STATE 15113 ¶1. (S/NF) In response to reftel request, post provides the following information on critical infrastructure and key resources (CI/KR) in the United Arab Emirates whose destruction or disruption could immediately affect the economic security and national security of the United States: A) Strait of Hormuz: Located between the UAE, Oman and Iran and connecting the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the Strait is the only sea passage for military traffic, commercial shipping and energy exports. B) Jebel Ali Port: As the largest container port in the region and the 7th largest in the world, Jebel Ali Port is a key transit point for US exports to the Middle East, Asia and Africa. It is located on the Persian Gulf near the large commercial hub of Dubai. Jebel Ali also acts as a significant logistic bridge to Afghanistan in the form of aerial and sea surface shipments and is the major US military liberty and provisioning port in the Gulf. C) Al Dhafra Air Force Base: This UAE air base near Abu Dhabi city is the high altitude Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) hub for US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) and supports 50 percent of CENTCOM aerial refueling in the AOR. D) Minhad Air Base in the Emirate of Dubai is a critical hub for Coalition/ISAF partners in Afghanistan, including the Australians, Dutch, Canadians, Brits and Kiwis. E) Al Bateen Air Base in Abu Dhabi city is a similar hub for the Italians. F) Das Island Export Terminal: This industrial island 180 km from Abu Dhabi city is the primary export terminal for UAE offshore oil production (approximately 1 million barrels/day) and liquefied natural gas. While UAE energy exports to the United States are limited, a disruption of this facility would have an immediate impact on world energy prices. G) Jabal Dhanna Export Terminal: Much of the UAE's almost 1.5 million barrels/day of onshore oil production is exported from this terminal located on the UAE's western coast. While UAE energy exports to the United States are limited, a disruption of this facility would have an immediate impact on world energy prices. ¶2. (C) The UAE Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA) is responsible for the protection of most civilian assets. The UAE Armed Forces General Headquarters (GHQ) is responsible for the security and protection of military sites. Jebel Ali Port is protected by a combination of Dubai Maritime Police and the UAE Coast Guard and Navy. OLSON