Falling shrapnel from an intercepted missile killed a Pakistani national in Abu Dhabi, the government media office said Tuesday. The incident took place in the Bani Yas area “following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defences”, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said. In nearby Dubai, a journalist heard three explosions after a mobile phone alert warned residents of the United Arab Emirates’ most populous city to “immediately seek a safe place” over “potential missile threats”. 

Iran has fired more than 1,900 missiles and drones at the UAE, more than any other country targeted by Tehran since the start of the Middle East war. Tehran has taken aim at US assets in the Gulf countries, as well as infrastructure, including landmarks, airports, ports and oil facilities. 

Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, said this week that US bases in the Middle East had been used to launch air raids and that missiles had been fired from the UAE to strike Iran’s Kharg Island, though UAE officials have denied the claim. The strikes have upended travel plans in the financial hub, despite its air defence intercepting the vast majority of projectiles. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)