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UAE air defences repel Iranian attacks

2 March 2026

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About 93% of incoming Iranian missiles and drones targeting the UAE have been repelled by air defences, limiting the human cost. However, falling debris and the small number of strikes that got through damaged several key buildings and facilities.

The attacks began on 28 February, shortly after US and Israeli attacks on Iran started.

Authorities in the UAE reported three fatalities and 58 minor injuries. Incidents affected hotels, airports, a major port, residential areas and a military installation. Schools and universities have shifted to remote learning, and many workplaces have moved to remote work.

Interception figures

The UAE’s Ministry of Defence announced on 1 March that the UAE air force and air defence forces had, as of that date, dealt with 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since the start of the Iranian attack.

Of the 165 ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards the UAE, 152 were destroyed, while 13 fell into the sea.

Of the 541 drones detected, 506 were intercepted and destroyed, while 35 fell within the country, causing material damage.

The incidents resulted in three fatalities – Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals – and 58 minor injuries among Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationals.

Several buildings and facilities in the UAE have sustained damage during the Iranian attacks. On 28 February, the Fairmont hotel on the Palm Jumeirah sustained damage and four people were injured. Later that night, the Burj Al-Arab hotel also sustained damage, with no injuries reported. The incident resulted from debris from an intercepted drone.

On 1 March, it was confirmed that debris from a drone, after it was intercepted by air defence systems, fell onto the façade of one of the buildings at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi. An official statement said the incident resulted in minor injuries to a woman and her child, as well as minor material damage.

Airport disruption

Also on 1 March, Dubai Airports confirmed that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage, which was quickly contained. Four staff members were injured. Most terminals had already been cleared of passengers. The majority of flights out of the airport were cancelled.

“Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai up until 1500hrs UAE time on Sunday, 1 March,” Emirates Airline, the main user of Dubai International airport, said in a statement.

Abu Dhabi Airports confirmed an incident resulting from the interception of a drone that had targeted Zayed International airport. It said falling debris resulted in one Asian national being killed and seven people being injured.

Dubai authorities confirmed that debris from an aerial interception caused a fire at one of the berths at Jebel Ali Port. No injuries were reported.

Authorities also confirmed that some residential buildings had been damaged. Debris from drones intercepted by air defences fell in the courtyards of two homes in Dubai, resulting in two injuries.

Military installations have also sustained damage. The Ministry of Defence confirmed on 1 March that an incident occurred when two Iranian drones targeted a warehouse at Al-Salam Naval Base in Abu Dhabi. This led to a fire in two containers storing general materials. No casualties were reported.

In response to the attacks, schools and universities in the UAE have shifted to remote learning. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced the decision to switch to remote learning from Monday 2 March until Wednesday 4 March.

Many businesses have also shifted to working from home, although many operations – such as retail and construction – are continuing as normal.

Some sporting events have continued. On 2 March, Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Presidential Court, attended part of the third round of group-stage matches of the 13th edition of the Mansour Bin Zayed Football Cup at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental hotel stadium in Abu Dhabi.

In Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, attended the 2026 Emirates Super Saturday, which took place at the Meydan Racecourse on 28 February.

Main image: Dubai Civil Defence teams brought a minor fire on the exterior façade of the Burj Al Arab hotel under control, with no injuries reported. The Dubai Government Media Office stated that the incident resulted from debris from a drone that had been intercepted. Credit: Wam

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Colin Foreman

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