Overnight Strikes Target Airports and Hotel in UAE
Dubai International Airport, Burj Al Arab and key infrastructure affected as air defences intercept hundreds of projectiles
India, March 2: A wave of Iranian drone and missile attacks struck multiple locations across the United Arab Emirates late Saturday, disrupting aviation operations and triggering emergency responses in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Authorities confirmed that Dubai International Airport was among the sites affected. Emergency teams were deployed immediately after an incident was reported at the facility. Officials said four people sustained injuries and received urgent medical treatment.
In central Dubai, debris from an intercepted drone ignited a fire at the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. Civil defence crews brought the blaze under control and confirmed there were no casualties.
Falling fragments from air defence operations also sparked a fire at a berth in Jebel Ali Port. Firefighters responded swiftly, and no injuries were reported. Officials cautioned residents against circulating outdated footage from a 2021 port incident and urged reliance on verified updates.
Air raid alerts sounded intermittently overnight as defence systems intercepted incoming threats. The Ministry of Defence stated that since the beginning of the assault, air defence units detected 137 ballistic missiles and 209 drones launched toward the country. According to the ministry, 132 missiles were destroyed, five fell into the sea, 195 drones were intercepted, and 14 landed within national territory and waters, causing limited damage.
Unconfirmed local reports indicated that Zayed International Airport may also have been struck, with claims of one fatality and several injuries. The government has not officially verified those reports.
With the attacks coinciding with the fasting month of Ramzan and the weekend, residents remained awake amid sirens and official advisories. As a precaution, schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi shifted to distance learning until Thursday.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation announced that authorities would cover accommodation and meals for stranded passengers. Around 20,200 travellers were impacted by flight rescheduling, with temporary lodging, food services and rebooking assistance arranged under emergency operational plans.
