3 killed as Iran launches large-scale retaliatory strikes targeting UAE territory and strategic locations
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed that three people have died and 58 others have been injured since Iran began launching retaliatory missile and drone attacks against the country.
The UAE Ministry of Defence shared detailed information about the scale of the attacks and how the country responded.
What the UAE Defence Ministry Said
According to officials, Iran has launched 165 ballistic missiles toward the UAE since the start of its retaliation. The UAE’s air defence systems destroyed 152 of these missiles before they could hit their targets. The remaining 13 missiles fell into the sea and did not cause damage on land.
In addition, Iran fired two cruise missiles at the UAE. The defence ministry said both cruise missiles were detected and successfully intercepted.
Iran also launched a large number of drones — 541 in total. The UAE intercepted and destroyed 506 of these drones in the air. However, 35 drones fell inside UAE territory. Some of these caused injuries and damage to property.
Three People Killed, 58 Injured
The ministry confirmed that three people lost their lives in the attacks. All three were foreign nationals living and working in the UAE. The victims included:
- One Pakistani national
- One Nepalese national
- One Bangladeshi national
A total of 58 people were injured. The injured include both Emirati citizens and expatriates. People from the following countries were affected: UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon and Afghanistan.
This shows that the impact of the attacks has affected many communities in the UAE, which has a large international population.
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Why the Attacks Happened
Iran launched these strikes as part of a retaliatory response after joint military actions were carried out by the United States and Israel inside Iranian territory. The situation has sharply increased tensions across the Middle East.
Iran used ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hundreds of drones in what officials describe as one of the largest coordinated attacks seen in the Gulf region in recent years. The large number of weapons appears to have been aimed at overwhelming defence systems and hitting several targets at once.
UAE’s Defence Response
The UAE Armed Forces quickly activated their air defence systems after detecting the incoming threats. Officials said the interception rate was very high.
More than 90 percent of the ballistic missiles were destroyed before impact. Both cruise missiles were shot down. Most of the drones were also intercepted before reaching populated areas.
However, even when missiles and drones are destroyed in the air, falling debris can still cause damage. Some of the injuries and property damage were caused by debris. The 35 drones that landed inside UAE territory also led to casualties and damage.
Damage and Disruptions
Authorities reported material damage in several areas. Some fires broke out after drone impacts or falling debris. Emergency services responded quickly to control the situation and help those affected.
There were also temporary disruptions to flights as airspace restrictions were put in place during the attacks. Airports and aviation authorities took precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety.
Officials described the property damage as minor to moderate in affected areas.
Government’s Message to the Public
The UAE Ministry of Defence said that the armed forces remain fully prepared to deal with any further threats. Officials assured citizens, residents and visitors that defence systems are working and the country remains on high alert.
Authorities also asked people to rely only on official sources for updates and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information during this sensitive time.
The government stressed that protecting civilians is its top priority.
Wider Regional Impact
The attacks on the UAE are part of a larger escalation in the Middle East. Tensions between Iran and its opponents have increased, and other Gulf countries have also taken extra security measures.
Experts say the number of missiles and drones used in these attacks is unusually large for the region. The situation has raised concerns about regional stability, aviation safety and the security of important infrastructure.
International leaders have called for calm and urged all sides to reduce tensions to prevent further loss of life and damage.
Current Situation
So far, the UAE has confirmed three deaths and 58 injuries since the start of Iran’s retaliatory strikes. Defence forces continue to monitor the situation closely and remain on high alert.
Although air defence systems prevented much larger destruction, the deaths, injuries and property damage show the serious impact of the conflict on the UAE. Authorities continue to watch developments as the situation unfolds.
Watch the attack in UAE Video Below:
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