Iran carried out coordinated missile attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates’ Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Qatar’s Doha, and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh on Saturday, hours after Israel and the United States conducted joint strikes on Iranian territory, escalating tensions across the Middle East.
The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed the death of a civilian of Asian nationality in Abu Dhabi, attributing the fatality to missile debris that fell in a residential area. The ministry described the attack as “a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability.”
Abu Dhabi hosts the shared Al Dhafra Air Base, used by the UAE and US Air Forces, while Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port serves as the largest US Navy port of call in the region, regularly accommodating aircraft carriers and other vessels.
In Qatar, the Ministry of Interior issued a press release stating that missile attacks on the country were successfully intercepted, with no casualties or damage reported in residential areas. Authorities emphasized that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors remains a top priority, with response teams monitoring developments around the clock. The public was urged to avoid handling debris and rely only on official updates.
Saudi Arabia, where the US has over 2,000 troops, including positions near Riyadh’s Prince Sultan Air Base, also came under missile fire. The base supports Patriot missile batteries and Terminal High Altitude Area Defence systems, highlighting the risk to both military assets and nearby civilian populations.
Bahrain reported a separate missile attack targeting the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama. The Fifth Fleet oversees operations across the Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean, with several US vessels homeported in Bahrain, including anti-mine and logistical support ships.
Regional security alerts were triggered across the Middle East. Sirens sounded in Jordan, while Kuwait engaged incoming missiles with its air defence systems.
The attacks mark a sharp escalation in hostilities following the US-Israel strikes on Iran, raising concerns over civilian safety and regional stability. With American troops stationed in all affected cities, the strikes underscore the potential for wider military confrontation in the Gulf region.
Authorities in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait continue to monitor the threat and operate air defence systems to protect civilians and strategic installations.
