Gulf nations faced fresh waves of missile and drone attacks on Saturday as the conflict with Iran intensified, with explosions reported in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and other areas across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Attacks Disrupt Major Hubs
Loud explosions echoed in Dubai, the Qatari capital Doha, and Bahrain, followed by confirmed strikes in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. Kuwait’s national oil company announced a precautionary reduction in crude production due to the threats.
The attacks persisted despite an earlier apology from Iran’s president to Gulf countries, stating that strikes would cease unless launched from their territories. Hours later, Iran declared it would continue targeting sites in Gulf nations used by adversaries.
UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan addressed the nation on television, describing the situation as a period of war and affirming that the Emirates would emerge stronger.
In Dubai, authorities reported one fatality—a Pakistani national—from debris caused by an aerial interception. Dubai’s main airport, the world’s busiest for international traffic, closed temporarily after an unidentified object was intercepted nearby. Witnesses described a loud explosion followed by smoke, with footage showing a drone sound and plumes near an airport concourse.
The government described it as a minor incident from falling debris after interception, with no injuries reported. Flight tracking showed planes holding patterns overhead.
Emirates airline briefly suspended flights to and from Dubai but later resumed operations.
Heavy Defences in Action
The UAE, a close US ally hosting American military facilities, has borne the brunt of attacks in the Gulf. The Ministry of Defence stated that of 16 ballistic missiles fired on Saturday, 15 were intercepted, with one falling into the sea. Of 121 drones detected, 119 were brought down, while two landed in Emirati territory.
Since the war began last Saturday, the UAE has detected 221 ballistic missiles and over 1,300 drones.
Flights from Dubai’s main airport had seen partial resumption earlier in the week despite ongoing threats. Last Saturday, four employees were injured and a terminal damaged as the conflict erupted following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iranian attacks over the past week have targeted Abu Dhabi airport, the Palm Jumeirah development, and the Burj Al Arab hotel, while drone debris sparked a fire at the US consulate in Dubai on Tuesday.
Wider Regional Strikes
Qatar’s defence ministry reported intercepting two missile attacks. In Saudi Arabia, the defence ministry said it destroyed three ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts US troops, and 17 drones over the Shaybah oilfield.
Kuwait intercepted a drone, prompting its oil company’s production cut amid concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for Gulf hydrocarbons.
Further north, Jordan accused Iran of directly targeting sites in the kingdom, with its military spokesman stating that 119 missiles and drones had been fired in the past week, aimed at vital installations rather than merely transiting airspace.
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