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

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court; and H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, have attended the Abu Dhabi Government’s Ramadan Majlis, Barzat Abu Dhabi, organised by the Abu Dhabi Media Office at Qasr Al Hosn from 21 to 26 February 2026.

Their Highnesses exchanged Ramadan greetings and well wishes with Abu Dhabi Government leaders, employees, and their families, praying that the blessed month brings continued prosperity, peace, and progress to the UAE, its leadership, citizens, and residents.

H.H. Sheikh Mansour underscored that Ramadan Majalis provide an important platform to strengthen community engagement and reinforce values of cohesion and social solidarity.

He noted that bringing together Abu Dhabi Government employees and their families at Barzat Abu Dhabi reflects the spirit of one united family that characterises Emirati society, particularly as 2026 has been designated the Year of Family.

H.H. Sheikh Mansour added that the Holy month of Ramadan renews the values of generosity and giving, fosters unity and collective action, and supports a government work culture grounded in collaboration and teamwork, contributing to the continued progress of the UAE’s development journey.

For his part, H.H. Sheikh Khaled emphasised that Barzat Abu Dhabi, rooted in the UAE’s longstanding Ramadan majalis tradition, reflects the Abu Dhabi Government’s commitment to cultivating a positive and motivating work culture that balances professional and family life, strengthens institutional excellence, and enhances the efficiency and quality of government performance.

He highlighted that organising the initiative during the Year of Family reflects the leadership’s vision to reinforce the family as a cornerstone of social and institutional stability, fostering a more cohesive and high-performing government ecosystem that advances national development across all sectors through a spirit of teamwork.

Barzat Abu Dhabi serves as a platform to strengthen institutional cohesion and promote a culture of collaboration across Abu Dhabi Government entities. Drawing on the enduring traditions of Ramadan majalis and the UAE’s values of social solidarity, the initiative supports the development of a more connected and integrated work environment, enhancing the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of government performance.

The initiative coincides this year with the designation of 2026 as the Year of Family, aligning with the leadership’s vision to empower families and reinforce their central role as the foundation of a stable and thriving society. The participation of employees’ families in the Ramadan majlis activities further promotes work-life balance and nurtures a cohesive government community that continues to contribute effectively to the nation’s comprehensive development journey.

Employees’ family members participated in a range of accompanying cultural and recreational activities, including interactive handicraft workshops, art exhibitions, and live heritage and musical performances. These activities celebrate the richness of Emirati cultural heritage and help instil national identity among present and future generations.

The event was attended by H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs; Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court; as well as a number of ministers and senior Abu Dhabi Government officials.

WAM

 The UAE is set to add around 390,000 new homes by 2030, marking one of the largest residential expansion cycles in recent years, according to a new industry report. The first-ever Alpen GCC Real Estate 2026 report by Alpen Capital shows the country’s residential stock rising from approximately 1.08 million units to about 1.47 million units by the end of the decade.

Dubai is expected to account for the majority of this pipeline, with apartment-led mixed-use communities continuing to dominate new launches, while Abu Dhabi focuses more on premium villas and waterfront neighbourhoods.

Across the GCC, residential supply is expected to increase from approximately 6.26 million units in 2025 to 7.28 million units by 2030, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE accounting for the bulk of the supply.

Saudi Arabia’s residential supply is estimated to grow by 499,000 units between 2025 and 2030, reaching 3.45 million by 2030. Giga projects in Riyadh and Jeddah are expected to fuel this growth.

Sustained growth

According to the report, the GCC’s real estate landscape has undergone a transformation, driven by national agendas to diversify and build a resilient economy. “Dubai has led this transformation, establishing itself as a global metropolis fuelled by foreign ownership, massive infrastructure investments and ambitious strategies,” said Sameena Ahmad, Managing Director, Alpen Capital.

“Over the next few years, the region’s real estate industry is expected to witness a steady supply across the residential, commercial, hospitality and retail segments, largely supported by continued government spending and investments in building a world-class infrastructure,” she added.

But what does this mean for rents?

A supply increase of this scale typically shifts the balance between landlords and tenants. The report stated that supply growth in the GCC is becoming more “structured” and increasingly aligned with demand rather than speculative expansion. That could reduce the risk of sharp, sudden corrections.

However, with nearly 390,000 additional homes entering the UAE market over five years, rental growth is likely to moderate if deliveries outpace new household formation.

The study highlights that population growth, expatriate inflows and urbanisation remain strong demand drivers.

The UAE’s population, according to Worldometer, has surpassed 11 million in 2025. There isa continued inflow of expatriates and high-net-worth individuals supporting both mid-tier and luxury segments

If those inflows remain steady, the additional supply may ease pressure without triggering a widespread rent correction. But in sub-markets where deliveries cluster heavily, tenants could gain greater negotiating power. Will property prices grow or drop

The report from Alpen stated that supply across the GCC is entering a more disciplined phase, with greater emphasis on mixed-use developments, asset quality and long-term livability.

“Over the coming years, we expect supply–demand dynamics across the GCC to become more balanced. Large-scale developments are being phased more strategically, with a clear emphasis on quality, mixed-use formats, and demand-led execution. We are witnessing that development trends are shifting towards master-planned, sustainable, and technology-enabled communities focused on long-term liveability,” said Sharmin Karanjia, Executive Director, Alpen Capital.

“While certain sub-markets may experience short-term oversupply pressures, well-located and high-quality projects are likely to continue seeing strong absorption and pricing support,” she said.

“Going forward, as major development zones reach operational maturity, investors will have a broad base of high-quality assets maintaining interest from both regional and international buyers”, said Sharmin.

What’s next?

High disposable incomes, steady population growth, expatriate inflows, and a favourable tax environment will remain key demand drivers across the region.

The report stated that future development pipelines will feature mixed-use projects, enhanced asset quality, sustainability, and the integration of residential, commercial and lifestyle components.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are expected to account for the majority of the upcoming supply, while other GCC markets pursue more targeted and selective growth strategies.

In the commercial segment, office supply across the GCC is estimated to expand from 33.3 million sqm in 2025 to 42.4 million sqm by 2030, with over 65 per cent of new supply delivered in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as per the existing pipeline.

GN