Etihad Rail, in coordination with the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi (ADCMC), operated three exceptional passenger train services between Al Ghuwaifat Station (Al Dhafra) and Al Faya Station (Abu Dhabi City).

These trips safely transported over 350 passengers ahead of the official launch of the passenger rail service, offering a reliable alternative for residents affected by regional travel disruptions.

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3 train services to bring passengers to UAE

• Passengers ferried by train ahead of official launch
• Passengers travelled from Ghuwaifat Station in Al Dhafrah Region to Al Faya Station in Abu Dhabi

Why it matters

• Ensured safe and efficient travel for returning residents.
• Highlighted Abu Dhabi’s operational readiness and flexibility in emergency situations.
• Freight operations continued without disruption, showing the railway network can handle both passenger and cargo transport simultaneously.

What residents should know

• The operation confirms alternative transport options are available during travel disruptions.
• Residents should stay updated via official channels for future passenger services.
• Safety protocols were fully activated, with technical and human resources deployed to ensure smooth operations.

Operational highlights

• The exceptional train service demonstrates the strategic importance, efficiency, and reliability of the UAE’s national railway network.
• Operations were conducted without affecting other logistical or freight services.
• Additional services will continue as required, until air traffic resumes and flights return to normal schedules.

Key takeaway

The operation reflects Abu Dhabi’s proactive response framework, capable of swift activation of alternative transport and maintaining continuity of vital services during regional developments.

Residents can watch the official video update and follow announcements from Etihad Rail and ADCMC for further information.

GM

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

Guards claim control of Hormuz

The Revolutionary Guards said Iranian forces had “complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for world oil and gas supplies, and any vessels seeking to pass risked damage from missiles or stray drones.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday the US Navy was ready to escort oil tankers through the crucial Gulf shipping route.

The Guards said they had also launched more than 40 missiles at US and Israeli targets in a new wave of strikes.

Khamenei funeral set

Iran will hold a three-day-long state funeral starting on Wednesday evening for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, state TV said.

Khamenei, the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, was killed in the US-Israeli strikes that sparked the war on Saturday.

After the funeral’s announcement, Israel’s defence minister warned that any successor would be a “target for assassination”.

Gulf stocks tumble

The Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges reopened sharply lower on Wednesday after a two-day trading suspension over Iran’s missile and drone attacks across the Gulf.

The Dubai bourse was down 4.7 percent while Abu Dhabi’s ADX fell 3.5 percent shortly after markets opened.

Seoul shares earlier collapsed more than 12 percent as Asian stock markets were gripped by the worldwide wave of panic selling. Oil rose.

Sirens ring out in Israel

Missiles launched from Iran early Wednesday triggered air raid sirens across large parts of Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

The military said it was “operating to intercept the threat”, and the alert was lifted after several minutes with no immediate reports of casualties — though shrapnel caused a fire near Jerusalem, according to Israeli media.

Iranian frigate sinking off Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka said an Iranian navy frigate with 180 crew was sinking just outside the island’s territorial waters.

No information was immediately available on the cause.

Explosions rock Beirut, other towns

AFPTV footage showed an air strike hit Hezbollah’s bastion in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital Beirut, as Israel and the Iran-backed militant group traded strikes and rocket fire.

Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes on two towns south of Beirut — outside of Iran-backed Hezbollah’s traditional strongholds — killed six people and wounded eight.

Lebanese state media later said Israeli strikes had hit a hotel in the Beirut suburb of Hazmieh, as well as a four-storey building in the eastern city of Baalbek, where five people were reportedly killed.

US commander says 2,000 targets hit in Iran

Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads US military forces in the Middle East, said in a video message that nearly 2,000 targets had been struck so far in Iran.

“We have severely degraded Iran’s air defences and destroyed hundreds of Iran’s ballistic missiles, launchers and drones,” he said.

Saudi Arabia intercepts cruise missiles

The Saudi defence ministry said two cruise missiles were intercepted over an area south of the capital Riyadh, and state media reported nine drones targeting the kingdom were intercepted.

A drone was also shot down near the international airport in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a security source said.

Qatar says Iranian spy cells dismantled

Qatar, which hosts a major US military base and has been targeted by multiple Iranian strikes since the outbreak of the war, reported it had dismantled two spy cells linked to the Revolutionary Guards, arresting 10 suspects.

Israel says launching new wave of strikes

Israel’s military said Wednesday it has launched a “broad wave of strikes” on Iran, after the Islamic republic launched three separate missile barrages at Israeli territory.

The army said it had struck “dozens” of targets, including security command centres in the capital Tehran.

Drone attack on Dubai’s US consulate

A drone attack caused a fire by the US consulate in Dubai as Iran ramped up its targeting of American diplomatic missions in the Gulf.

US staff allowed to leave Saudi, Oman

The United States said it had ordered non-emergency staff at its consulates in the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Karachi to leave the country over “safety risks”, and granted permission for staff to leave missions in Saudi Arabia, Cyprus and Oman.

© 2026 AFP