DUBAI, UAE - Loud explosions have been heard in Dubai, while a Pakistani national has been killed by falling debris from a missile shot down by the UAE military in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi.
Streaking missiles were seen exploding in the skies over Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and Palm Jumeirah just before 7pm Saturday night local time, Dubai-based Big News Network reported.
Three missiles were seen streaking across the sky before they exploded, seemingly intercepted by the UAE military. Several others were heard but not seen shortly after 7pm and 8:30pm. Loud booms were also heard mid-afternoon in and around Dubai Marina.
Emergency alerts were beeped to local Dubai citizens and residents at 12:30am and 12:38am Sunday, warning them to seek shelter, and stay away from windows and doors, as missiles again streaked across Dubai's skies.
The British embassy said it was aware of missiles being seen over Dubai and urged British nationals in the UAE, estimated to be above 220,000 in number to seek shelter.
The UAE Ministry of Defence said it had successfully engaged and destroyed 137 ballistic missiles and 209 drones launched towards the country's territory, underscoring the high readiness of the air defence systems and their capability to address various threats.
The ministry said that, since the beginning of the attack, 137 Iranian ballistic missiles launched towards the UAE had been detected, of which 132 were destroyed, while five fell into the sea. A total of 209 Iranian drones were also detected; 195 were intercepted, while 14 fell within the country's territory and waters, causing some minor side damage.
It noted that, as a result of the effective interception of the missiles and drones, some debris fell in separate areas across the country, leading to minor material damage to a number of civilian facilities.
Explosions have also been heard in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq. These countries have closed their airspace and national airlines have been grounded.
Target of the missle attacks in the Gulf countries have been U.S. military bases hosted by them. Iran had vowed to attack these bases if it came under attack from U.S. and Israeli forces. "This operation will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated," Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement Saturday.
The UAE has closed its airspace, and Emirates and Etihad have cancelled all flights in and out of the country. The airlines, two of the biggest in the world, have also suspended flights worldwide. "Dubai Airports confirms that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended until further notice," the emirate's airports operator said in a statement Saturday. "Passengers must not travel to the airport and are advised to contact their airline directly for the latest flight updates. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as soon as available," the statement said.
The UAE Ministry of Interior said Saturday it is closely monitoring regional developments and remains at the highest level of readiness to take all necessary precautionary measures, in full coordination with relevant authorities.
The Ministry stressed that the security and safety of citizens, residents, and visitors across the country remain its top priority.
Bahrain said a missile struck a service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet on Saturday however gave no further details. In Kuwait, the Defence Ministry said missiles targeting Ali al-Salem Air Base were intercepted.
All nations condemned the Iranian strikes, describing them as a breach of their sovereignty. While Qatar said it reserved its right to defend itself, none of the countries have yet to launch retaliatory action, with most calling for an end to hostilities.
Oman, which has a closer relationship with Iran, as opposed to its neighbours, was critical of the U.S. getting involved in what it described as Israel's war. "I am dismayed,. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer," Oman' s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said Saturday. "I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war," he added.
Gulf countries are currently marking Ramadan so the outbreak of war in the region has come as a disruptive and unwelcome event. Unless there is a quick resolution to the conflict, millions of visitors to the Gulf countries could be left stranded while flights remain cancelled.
Top Photo - Explosions in Manama, Bahrain, Saturday 28 February 2026 Credit: Reuters.
Secondary Photo - Missile exploding after being intercepted over Dubai skies around 7pm Saturday 28 February 2026. Credit: Big News Network
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