ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates said it intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting its capital, Abu Dhabi, early Monday, following a deadly drone attack on the city a week ago.

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defense said "its air defense has intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles fired by the terrorist Houthi group."

"The attack did not result in any casualties, as the remnants of the intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles fell in separate areas around the Emirate of Abu Dhabi," the statement added.

The ministry said it is "ready to deal with any threats, and that it takes all necessary measures to protect the state from all attacks."

At around 4:15 a.m. on Monday, witnesses in Abu Dhabi said they heard the sounds of explosions and saw what they described as fireballs in the sky.

Several flights were delayed arriving into Abu Dhabi airport, according to the airport's website. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed Abu Dhabi-bound planes flying in circles near the airport.

It comes a week after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a drone attack near Abu Dhabi's airport on January 17 that killed at least three people and sparked multiple explosions in the UAE's capital. It was the first deadly attack in the UAE in years.

The spokesperson for Yemen's Houthi rebels warned at the time, the "UAE is an unsafe state as long as its aggressive escalation against Yemen continues."

In response to the attack, the Saudi led-coalition fighting in Yemen launched airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

On Saturday, the UAE banned the use of drones in the country for one month.

Without mentioning the recent deadly attack, the ministry said the order was made after "misuse spotted recently" where users were "trespassing into areas where these types of activities are prohibited".

"The Ministry of Interior is currently stopping all flying operations for owners, practitioners and enthusiasts of drones, including drones and light sports aircraft," the WAM news agency reported late Saturday.

"Anyone performing these activities during that period and disregarding guidelines will be subject to legal liabilities," it said, adding that the ban would last for one month. — Agencies