Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Iran launched a series of missile attacks on major Gulf cities Saturday, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh, hours after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. The assaults have sparked widespread concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The UAE Ministry of Defence reported that an Asian civilian was killed in Abu Dhabi when missile debris struck a residential area. The ministry described the attacks as “dangerous escalation” threatening civilian safety and regional stability.
Eyewitnesses in Dubai described loud explosions and missiles lighting up the sky. “It was a huge blast, shaking windows,” said one resident, while another reported seeing “three fireballs streak across the sky, leaving smoke trails.”
All targeted cities host significant US military assets. Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Air Base and Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port regularly host American forces. Doha’s Al Udeid Air Base serves as US Central Command’s forward headquarters. Saudi Arabia hosts over 2,000 US troops, including units at Prince Sultan Air Base with advanced missile defense systems.
Bahrain confirmed that Iran targeted the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama. Sirens also sounded in Jordan, and Kuwait engaged its air defenses against incoming missiles. Qatar intercepted attacks successfully, with no casualties reported. Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes as a “blatant violation of sovereignty” and warned Iran of “grave consequences.”
The missile attacks followed US and Israeli strikes in Iran earlier Saturday, including one near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s offices. Officials reported 24 killed at an Iranian school. US President Donald Trump described the strikes as “major combat operations in Iran,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a joint operation to counter an “existential threat.”
In response, airlines suspended flights across the region. Airspace closures affected Israel, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, including Air India and IndiGo flights from India.
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