Four foreign nationals, including an Indian citizen, were injured after two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport on Wednesday as the United Arab Emirates responded to missile and drone attacks launched from Iran, authorities said.
According to a statement issued by the Government of Dubai Media Office on X, the drones came down near the airport area, leaving two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national with minor injuries, while an Indian national sustained moderate injuries. Despite the incident, officials confirmed that air traffic at Dubai International Airport continued to operate normally.
The development occurred as the UAE’s Ministry of Defence announced that its air defence systems were actively responding to incoming missile and drone threats originating from Iran. Authorities said the sounds heard by residents in parts of the country were the result of interception operations carried out by the defence systems.
In a statement posted on X, the ministry urged the public to follow safety and security instructions issued by authorities while the defensive measures remained underway. Officials indicated that the response formed part of ongoing efforts to neutralise aerial threats targeting the country.
The missile and drone launches from Iran come amid escalating tensions in the region following joint United States and Israel military strikes that began on February 28. Iranian strikes in the UAE have been described as retaliatory actions linked to the ongoing conflict.
Earlier on Tuesday, the UAE’s Ministry of Defence reported that its air defence systems detected nine ballistic missiles directed toward the country. Eight of the missiles were intercepted and destroyed, while one fell into the sea without causing damage on land.
During the same period, defence systems also identified 35 unmanned aerial vehicles entering the country’s airspace. Authorities said 26 of the drones were intercepted, while nine fell within the territory of the UAE.
In a broader assessment of the attacks, the ministry stated that a total of 1,475 Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles had been detected. Of these, 1,385 were intercepted by defence systems, while 90 drones fell within the country’s territory.
Officials also confirmed that eight cruise missiles were detected and successfully destroyed during the defence operations.
The ministry reported that the attacks have resulted in six deaths involving nationals from the UAE, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. A total of 122 individuals sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate.
Those injured include nationals from multiple countries, including the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan and Palestine.
Authorities reiterated that the country’s defence forces remain prepared to address further threats and will take decisive action against any attempts to compromise the nation’s security.
The Ministry of Defence stated that safeguarding the UAE’s sovereignty, stability and national interests remains a priority as the country continues to respond to evolving regional security challenges.
