A deadly drone attack in the heart of the United Arab Emirates' capital by Iran backed Houthi rebels has shoved the Middle East into uncharted dangerous waters at a time when the region's leaders have sought to solve each other’s decades long feud.

Three people were killed when the strikes hit fuel trucks near the airport in Abu Dhabi on Monday, causing multiple explosions. Yemen’s Iran backed Houthi rebels immediately claimed the attacks.

In response, the UAE and Saudi Arabia responded by attacking the Yemeni capital of Sana'a with airstrikes, killing at least 12 people, in the deadliest bombardment in the city since 2019.

Aside from escalating violence in a region that has sought to turn on a decade of proxy wars, the exchange of fire could also cloud a series of high-level talks between regional and international enemy’s .

Negotiations between Iran and Western powers on how to revive the 2015 deal to limit Tehran's nuclear program have recently shown signs of progress. And there are also indications that historic but difficult discussions between Saudi Arabia and regional rival Iran were beginning to bear fruit. 

But the unprecedented Houthi attacks in Abu Dhabi could throw a wrench into those talks. 

And if the rebels make good on their promise to launch further strikes, it could dent the UAE's image as a safe place to live, work and do business in a troubled region.