An explosion strikes during a military demonstration targeting a theatrical "ballistic missile launchpad" at the International Defense Exhibition and ...
An explosion strikes during a military demonstration targeting a theatrical "ballistic missile launchpad" at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Soldiers guard a theatrical "mobile ballistic missile launcher" during a demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu D...
Soldiers guard a theatrical "mobile ballistic missile launcher" during a demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Soldiers in an armored personnel carrier roar through a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, Un...
Soldiers in an armored personnel carrier roar through a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
A soldier travels down a zip line during a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emi...
A soldier travels down a zip line during a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Soldiers in an attack vehicle drive by other troops during a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhab...
Soldiers in an attack vehicle drive by other troops during a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Soldiers in an attack vehicle drive by other troops during a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhab...
Soldiers in an attack vehicle drive by other troops during a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Troops raid a building during a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sund...
Troops raid a building during a military demonstration at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Abu Dhabi's powerful crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, left, speaks to Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, right, a...
Abu Dhabi's powerful crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, left, speaks to Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, right, at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, left, speaks to Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, right, at the Int...
Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, left, speaks to Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, right, at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, walks through the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emir...
Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, walks through the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Young boys wave Emirati flags at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunda...
Young boys wave Emirati flags at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Young girls walk past an Emirati man playing a traditional drum at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu ...
Young girls walk past an Emirati man playing a traditional drum at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Young girls perform a traditional Emirati dance at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Ar...
Young girls perform a traditional Emirati dance at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
The Abu Dhabi Police Marching Band performs at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab E...
The Abu Dhabi Police Marching Band performs at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Emirati boys holding flags of the participating countries at an arms show march past a theatrical machine gun position at the opening ceremony of the ...
Emirati boys holding flags of the participating countries at an arms show march past a theatrical machine gun position at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
An Emirati flag-bearer gets the flag of Yemen wrapped around his face at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference i...
An Emirati flag-bearer gets the flag of Yemen wrapped around his face at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. The biennial arms show in Abu Dhabi comes as the United Arab Emirates faces increasing criticism for its role in the yearlong war in Yemen. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A biennial arms fair has opened in the United Arab Emirates as the country faces increasing scrutiny over its involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen.
While the war went unmentioned at the opening ceremony of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, it was clearly present in the theatrical show offered to spectators.
In it, a militia threatens an unknown country with both launchpad-based and mobile ballistic missiles. Saudi Arabia has faced over 100 such launches by Yemen's Houthi rebels into the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the leading members of a coalition that has been at war with the Iran-aligned Houthis since March 2015. The conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
