The UAE air defences intercepted missiles and drones, with authorities fully prepared to counter threats and safeguard national security. Airports and airlines have resumed limited flights, while early spring breaks have been announced for schools and universities, and some exams cancelled. Updates will follow as the situation unfolds.

UAE ready to defend its sovereignty

The UAE is committed to peace and regional stability but is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and protect everyone living on its soil, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, has said.

Gargash said the country had faced more than 1,000 attacks in the span of a few days, describing the scale of the assaults as unprecedented even by military standards. Despite the developments, he said the attacks would not weaken the country’s resolve.

Air defence operations

The UAE Ministry of Defence reported intercepting six ballistic missiles and 125 drones, with minor debris causing injuries in Abu Dhabi. Since the start of Iranian aggression, 196 missiles and 1,072 drones have been detected, of which 181 missiles and 1,001 drones were intercepted. Eight cruise missiles were also destroyed.

Casualties include three deaths (Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi nationals) and 94 minor injuries among multiple nationalities. Authorities confirmed full readiness to counter threats and safeguard national security.

UAE flight status March 6

UAE airports and airlines are gradually resuming operations following recent regional disruptions. While limited flights have restarted across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, passengers are advised to travel only with confirmed bookings.

Authorities continue to prioritise safety and closely monitor operations as schedules remain subject to change.

Prices spike across supermarkets

Some UAE residents say their grocery bills have risen in recent days, particularly for fruits and vegetables, with shoppers reporting noticeable price increases at supermarkets across the country.

Several shoppers told Gulf News they had seen prices climb within the past two days, with certain produce items nearly doubling compared with last week.

Alerts and public safety

In light of the ongoing war, the authority issued clear guidelines on what to do in case of an alert. It explained that if a warning is issued in your area, you must head to a safe place and take shelter until an ‘all clear’ alert is issued for the area. It added: “Do not exit to film or record.”

Education updates

• Early spring breaks for schools and universities; some exams cancelled
• Sharjah schools postponed start of academic year; distance learning continues for Indian and other schools in Dubai
• CBSE exams cancelled or postponed in affected countries

Public services and infrastructure

Healthcare: Operations running normally; hospitals and emergency services fully functional

Utilities: Etihad Water and Electricity confirm uninterrupted services across Abu Dhabi and Northern Emirates

Banks fully operational

Authorities in the UAE have moved to reassure the public that the country’s financial system remains strong and fully operational despite rising geopolitical tensions across the region.

The Central Bank of the UAE said banks, financial institutions and insurance companies across the country continue to operate normally and provide services without disruption nationwide.

Emirates NBD is easing banking for its customers by waiving fees on select services until March 31, 2026. The move comes in response to recent regional developments, offering greater flexibility and convenience.

Tourism sector stays open

Tourism across the UAE is continuing as normal despite regional developments. Hotels, resorts, attractions, and shopping centres remain open, operating fully in line with safety and quality standards. Authorities monitor operations and occupancy daily to ensure services run smoothly. Residents and visitors are advised to check directly with hotels or service providers for the latest updates on bookings and programmes.

Leisure and entertainment closures

Several major attractions in Dubai have extended temporary closures as a precautionary safety measure amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

Authorities have stressed that daily life in the UAE continues as normal, but some venues have paused operations in line with official guidance.

Responsibility begins with compliance

Stay safe and informed: Photographing or sharing images of security or critical sites, or reposting unreliable information, may lead to legal action and compromise national security.

Following official guidance and complying with regulations helps protect the community and maintain stability.

Safety advisory: shrapnel and suspicious objects

• Stay away from shrapnel or suspicious objects; do not approach or photograph them.
• Let authorities handle suspicious items safely.
• This follows a recent attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, which were intercepted by UAE air defence systems.

Emergency guidance if debris is spotted

• Move away from the area and keep a safe distance.
• Do not approach fragments – they may contain explosives or hazardous materials.
• Avoid taking or posting photos on social media.
• Do not gather at the incident site; allow authorities to access the location.
• Rely only on official sources and avoid circulating unverified information.
• Check on family members and stay calm.
• Report incidents to the emergency number: 999.

Despite regional tensions, the UAE continues to operate efficiently, with air defences active, public services running normally, limited flights resuming, and residents advised to follow official guidance

GN

The Ministry of Defence announced that UAE air defence systems successfully intercepted three ballistic missiles today, 4th March 2026, and detected 129 drones, of which 121 were intercepted while eight fell within the territory of the state.

The ministry stated that since the start of the blatant Iranian aggression, 189 ballistic missiles launched towards the UAE have been detected, with 175 missiles destroyed, 13 falling into the sea and one missile landing within the territory of the state. A total of 941 Iranian drones have also been detected, of which 876 were intercepted, while 65 fell within the country. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed.

The attacks caused some collateral damage and resulted in three fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationalities, as well as 78 minor injuries among individuals of Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationalities.

The ministry confirmed that the sounds heard in different parts of the country are the result of air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft intercepting drones and cruise missiles. These operations caused minor to moderate material damage to a number of civilian facilities.

The ministry strongly condemned this military targeting, describing it as a blatant act of aggression and a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law. It affirmed that the UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its people and its residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security and stability and protects its national interests and capabilities.

The Ministry of Defence reiterated that it remains fully prepared and ready to address any threats and is taking all necessary measures to firmly confront anything that seeks to undermine the country’s security and stability. It added that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority that cannot be compromised.

The ministry also urged the public to obtain information from official sources within the country and to avoid circulating rumours or unverified information.

WAM

The UAE Ministry of Defence said on Monday that the country’s air defence systems had successfully intercepted and destroyed nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles and 148 drones during attacks launched by Iran.

In a detailed update, the ministry said that since the beginning of the assault, a total of 174 ballistic missiles had been detected heading towards the country. 

Of these, 161 were intercepted and destroyed, while 13 fell into the sea. It added that 689 Iranian drones had also been tracked, with 645 intercepted and 44 falling within the UAE.

The ministry said eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed, noting that some caused limited collateral damage. The attacks resulted in three deaths and 68 minor injuries.

It said the sounds heard in different parts of the country were the result of interceptions carried out by air defence systems against ballistic missiles, as well as by fighter aircraft targeting drones and cruise missiles. These operations, it said, led to minor to moderate material damage to a number of civilian sites.

The ministry strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as a blatant act of aggression and a serious violation of national sovereignty and international law. 

It said the UAE reserves the full right to respond to the escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, safeguard its security and stability, and defend its national interests.

The ministry added that it remains on high alert and fully prepared to address any threats, stressing that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority.

It also urged the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports.

GN