Huge numbers of people are stranded at airports following the incident
A Londoner said they heard “loud bangs” over Abu Dhabi, as the United Arab Emirates destroyed missiles over the UAE capital fired in retaliation by Iran following the launch of the US-Israeli joint attack on Saturday (February 28). The resulting airspace closure has put Dubai International Airport in chaos, he told MyLondon.
Any British nationals in Middle Eastern countries are being told to “immediately shelter in place”. The UAE intercepted several “ballistic missiles” in an Iranian attack, says the country’s Ministry of Defence. An Asian national was killed by fallen debris after the missiles were intercepted, it added.
Jamie Smith, who moved to Dubai from London in 2023, said that he heard “eight loud bangs” ring out over Abu Dhabi, where he is currently working, followed by white smoke.
“The main situation has been now eight loud bangs as missiles have been destroyed over the city. After you can see puffs of white smoke where this was. There’s been military aircraft also flying around,” he said.
Mr Smith, who manages stores at Dubai International Airport, said that “huge numbers” of people are stuck at the airport after flights were cancelled.
“They are funnelling people back out of the airport through arrivals as there’s so many cancellations. The subsequent airspace closure has put extra stress on my staff,” he added.
Despite the attacks, Mr Smith said that he felt secure as the UAE Government remained on “full alert” following the attack. He said: “I feel safe, I’m confident the authorities have full control and will maintain safely to all.”
US-Israeli strikes on Iran in the early hours of Saturday morning were met by subsequent retaliatory attacks on American bases in surrounding countries. President Donald Trump announced he was launching “major combat operations” in Iran, via video message today.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defence has denounced the “blatant” attack, promising to “take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability.”
A spokesperson for the MOD said: “The UAE today was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, noting that UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles. Authorities in the UAE also handled the fall of some missile debris in a residential area which resulted in some material damage. The fallen debris also resulted in one civilian death of an Asian nationality.
“The authorities confirmed that the security situation in the UAE remains stable and that all concerned entities are monitoring developments around the clock. The Ministry strongly condemned the attack, affirming the UAE’s categorical rejection of any targeting of civilian objects, facilities and national institutions. It stressed that such acts constitute a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability.
“It added that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised. The Ministry urged the public to rely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports. The Ministry also urged the public to obtain information from official sources within the UAE and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.”
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