Authorities have successfully contained a fire near the US consulate in Dubai, following a drone strike that caused no reported injuries, according to Dubai’s media office. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the drone targeted a parking area adjacent to the consulate but reassured that all personnel remained unharmed.
The incident comes amid rising tensions in the region, with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards reporting multiple explosions heard simultaneously across the Gulf. Eyewitnesses in Kuwait, as well as the Emirati cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the Qatari capital of Doha have corroborated the sounds of loud bangs.
Additionally, Iraqi forces intercepted a drone targeting the US consulate in Erbil on the same day. The backdrop of these events is an escalation in hostilities, as Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones directed at neighboring Arab countries since U.S. and Israeli strikes began as part of Operation Roaring Lion on Saturday.
Remarkably, the UAE defense authorities revealed that they have detected 174 ballistic missiles directed towards their territory, with 161 intercepted and 13 falling into the sea. Furthermore, 689 Iranian drones were monitored, leading to the interception of 645, while 44 managed to land within the UAE. In terms of cruise missiles, eight were detected and subsequently destroyed. So far, the conflict has resulted in three fatalities in the UAE, with another 68 individuals suffering minor injuries due to some missiles striking significant targets, including Dubai International Airport and renowned landmarks like the Burj al Arab and Palm Jumeirah hotels.
In a recent security development, Qatar’s defense ministry confirmed the downing of two Su-24 fighter jets originating from Iran. Meanwhile, security sources in Iraq reported three armed drones shot down over Erbil Airport, where US forces are stationed, although no further details about those drones have been provided.
Despite the turmoil, DP World announced the resumption of operations at the Jebel Ali port in Dubai after a temporary disruption caused by security concerns in the Gulf region. Additionally, the US embassy in Jordan issued a security alert, advising American citizens in the country to stay indoors amid reports of missile activity detected in Jordanian airspace.
This series of events underscores the intricate web of geopolitical tensions currently affecting the Gulf states, with the hope that such conflicts can be resolved swiftly and peacefully to restore stability to the region.