Kamal Ghorui
The United Arab Emirates defence ministry announced that it has successfully intercepted a large-scale assault involving Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, confirming the high readiness and effectiveness of its air defense systems.The ministry said in a statement that the UAE Air Force and Air Defense forces “have succeeded, since the start of the Iranian attack, in intercepting and destroying 137 ballistic missiles and 209 drones launched toward the country’s territories, confirming the high readiness of air defense systems and their capability to handle various threats.”It added: “137 Iranian ballistic missiles were detected and launched toward the country, with 132 of them destroyed, while 5 fell into the sea. Additionally, 209 Iranian drones were detected, 195 of which were intercepted, while 14 fell within the country’s territories and waters, causing some collateral damage.”The ministry confirmed that debris from intercepted missiles and drones caused minor material damage to civilian properties. “The relevant authorities moved immediately with full readiness and capabilities to handle the situation in accordance with the approved procedures in such cases,” the statement read. Authorities reported one civilian death of Asian nationality as a result of falling debris, while highlighting that the overall security situation in the UAE “remains stable” and all entities are monitoring developments around the clock.The UAE ministry strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as “a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of civilians and undermines stability.” It emphasized that such targeting “constitutes a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law,” and affirmed that the UAE “reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and take all necessary measures to protect its territories and people.”The ministry added: “The safety of citizens, residents, and visitors represents an utmost priority that cannot be compromised,” and urged the public to rely on official sources and avoid spreading unverified information.The attacks on the UAE are part of broader regional tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Fresh blasts were reported across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Manama on Sunday morning, raising fears of a wider conflict in the Gulf. AFP reporters heard explosions in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, with sirens activated in several cities.The UAE reported that fires and smoke from missile strikes reached prominent landmarks including The Palm and Burj Al Arab. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports experienced “incidents,” while Kuwait’s airport was also affected, authorities said.The ministry confirmed that all necessary measures have been taken to secure affected sites and ensure the safety of residents and that the country remains on high alert to address any further threats.
