The UAE was the target of 137 missiles and 209 drones launched by Iran
At least one person died and seven were injured in an “incident” at Abu Dhabi airport, announced the terminal manager amid Iranian missile attacks against the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf monarchies.
“Abu Dhabi Airports confirmed an incident at Zayed International Airport that resulted in the death of an Asian citizen and injured seven,” informed the terminal manager.
The United Arab Emirates was the target of 137 missiles and 209 drones launched by Iran, the Ministry of Defense indicated. Another civilian died in Abu Dhabi from falling missile debris.
An “incident” was also reported at Dubai airport, where damage was reported and four workers injured.
Attacks
A began with smoke being seen over Tehran, the Iranian capital, in the early hours of Saturday. Tel-Aviv classified the strikes as preventive.
Shortly after, United States President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to post a surprise statement. In a video, the Republican announced combat operations in Iran, with the goal of “eliminating imminent threats”.
Smoke was seen rising over Tehran’s Pasteur district — home of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — and there was a huge security detail in the capital.
In the evening, Trump stated that the
Wave of missiles and drones
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain after a first wave of missile and drone attacks were launched against Israel.
“The first wave of widespread missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the occupied territories has begun,” the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement, referring to Israel.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said it was treating a man with injuries caused by an explosion in the north of the country. Iran’s Foreign Ministry declared it would respond “decisively” to the attacks, insisting that Tehran had done “everything necessary to prevent war from breaking out.”
Explosions in the Gulf
Explosions were reported across the Gulf region. Correspondents of AFP in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, they heard loud explosions, as well as in the capital of Bahrain, Manama, and in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
The United Arab Emirates claimed to have intercepted Iranian missiles and reserved the right to respond to attacks. Abu Dhabi residents reported to AFP having heard loud explosions in the Emirati capital, which houses a base with US personnel. Qatar’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted several missile attacks, while Kuwait also faced incoming attacks.
*with information from AFP
