A new flower habitat lost supporters in the Emirates (3,5)

I believe the answer is:

abu dhabi

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'a new flower habitat' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for abu dhabi that I've seen before include "Persian Gulf emirate" , "'UAE capital (3,5)'" , "Federal capital of the United Arab Emirates" , "Arab state" , "in Middle East" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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