The victims included citizens of the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, while the injured suffered minor to moderate wounds, UAE's Defence Ministry said
Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14. File Pic/AFP
At least six foreign nationals have been killed and 142 residents injured in the United Arab Emirates amid the recent escalation of regional tensions, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence, reported the IANS.
The victims included citizens of the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, while the injured suffered minor to moderate wounds, the news agency reported.
The Defence Ministry said the country’s air defence systems have intercepted a large number of incoming threats since the start of what it described as attacks linked to Iran.
According to the ministry, a total of 298 ballistic missiles, 1,606 drones and 15 cruise missiles have been intercepted since the escalation began.
On Sunday alone, the air defence systems reportedly intercepted four ballistic missiles and six drones launched towards the country.
Explosions heard in Dubai
Authorities confirmed that loud explosions heard in parts of Dubai, including the Marina and Al Sufouh areas, were caused by air defence systems intercepting incoming projectiles, as per the IANS.
Officials said the explosions were linked to defensive actions rather than direct strikes on the city.
Fire Incidents in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah
According to the IANS, in Abu Dhabi, emergency services contained a fire at the Ruwais Industrial Complex after a drone strike caused damage to part of the facility. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident.
Meanwhile, in the eastern emirate of Fujairah, another fire broke out in the Fujairah Oil Industries Zone following an interception. A Jordanian national sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Conflict linked to wider regional tensions
The attacks come amid rising tensions following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, which began on February 28.
In response, Iran and groups aligned with it have reportedly launched attacks targeting Israeli and US interests across the Middle East, as per the IANS.
Iran responds to allegations
In an interview published by the pan-Arab news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claimed that Tehran had information suggesting that the United States and Israel were launching attacks from certain locations targeting Arab states in the West Asia region, the news agency reported.
(with IANS inputs)
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