A wave of attacks across the Middle East on Sunday has left at least one person dead and 11 others injured at airports in the United Arab Emirates, as Iran retaliates against an ongoing US-Israel offensive.
The strikes, which involved drones and ballistic missiles, have disrupted thousands of flights, marking one of the largest interruptions to air travel in the region since the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Abu Dhabi, authorities reported that a drone targeting Zayed International Airport (AUH) was intercepted, causing falling debris that killed one person and injured seven.
Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest by passenger traffic, was also affected in an "incident" that injured four staff members, according to local officials.
The attacks have continued beyond the UAE. Explosions were reported in Doha, Dubai, and Manama as Iran carried out retaliatory strikes.
Iranian forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have launched wide-scale attacks on US allies and assets across the Gulf, following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in the US-Israel air offensive that began on Saturday morning.
Countries hosting US military bases have reported intercepting missiles. Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait confirmed they had intercepted missiles aimed at their territories, though falling debris has caused widespread damage in some areas.
In Dubai, debris from an aerial interception sparked a fire at the Jebel Ali deep-sea port, the ninth busiest in the world. On the Palm Jumeirah, a luxury man-made island, the five-star Fairmont The Palm hotel was hit by a large explosion, with verified video showing flames and thick black smoke. Officials also said debris from an intercepted drone caused a "minor fire" on the facade of the Burj Al Arab hotel.
Bahrain’s interior ministry confirmed that its airport sustained damage after a drone strike, and unverified reports suggest further attacks occurred on Sunday morning. The IRGC reported hitting the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Manama on Saturday, with massive plumes of black smoke rising near the base.
Meanwhile, Oman’s state news agency said the Duqm commercial port was struck by two drones, injuring one worker.
The situation remains tense across the Gulf, with authorities continuing to respond to multiple sites of destruction and disruptions to civilian life and commerce.
