A drone attack near Dubai International Airport on Monday sparked a fire and forced flight diversions, marking the latest in a series of Iranian-attributed assaults across the United Arab Emirates and broader Gulf region.
Dubai Airport Operations Halted
Dubai's civil defence teams rushed to contain a fire that broke out near the airport after a drone hit. The Dubai Media Office said Monday that crews had contained the fire, which damaged one fuel tank. No one was hurt in the incident.
Still, the attack caused major disruption. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority suspended all flights as a precaution to protect passengers and staff. Many incoming flights were rerouted to Al Maktoum International Airport. The airport later said it was partially resuming flights.
A witness filmed the drone crashing near the airport—the BBC verified the footage. The video appears to show the impact near Concourse A, but the exact spot remains unclear.
Three days earlier, two drones fell near the airport and wounded four people.
Wider Regional Strikes Intensify
Monday's Dubai attack wasn't the only strike that day. Attacks hit other parts of the UAE, showing how tensions are spiraling.
In Abu Dhabi, a missile hit a civilian car in Al Bahyan, killing a Palestinian.
Later that morning, Fujairah was also hit. A drone attack sparked a fire in an industrial zone. Civil defence crews put out the fire; no one was hurt. Fujairah was hit again—a fire at the oil hub on Saturday also came from drone debris.
The UAE's Defence Ministry says six people have died since fighting started on February 28. That includes four civilians and two military personnel killed in a helicopter crash blamed on mechanical failure. The attacks show how the conflict is hitting both civilians and military targets across the Gulf.
Iran's Stance and Escalating Conflict
Iran has defended its attacks on Gulf states. Tehran says U.S. Military bases on their territory make these countries fair game. This came after Israel and the U.S. Struck Tehran on February 28, widening the war.
But Iran hasn't just hit military targets. Airports, ports, oil facilities, and other civilian sites across the Gulf have been struck too. The UAE, which made peace with Israel in 2020, has taken the heaviest fire—Iran has launched more than 1,800 missiles and drones at it than at any other country.
The UAE's air defences have shot down most of the projectiles, but the relentless barrage has crippled travel and shaken Dubai's status as a financial hub. Gulf Arab states have reported more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since the war started, and they've all condemned Iran.
International Condemnation and Regional Response
Regional leaders have strongly condemned the attacks. On Monday, the UAE president and Saudi crown prince called each other to condemn what they called the "sinful Iranian attacks" on GCC countries. Both leaders said they're worried about the region's security.
Attacks on civilian areas and key infrastructure—airports, oil hubs—are testing Gulf nations' defences. Even with advanced air defences, the sheer number and relentlessness of strikes keep pushing Gulf nations to their limits.
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The attacks show how unstable the Gulf has become, disrupting everything from daily life to critical operations.
This article was created with AI assistance.
