The UAE Ministry of Defense announced that its air defenses on Saturday intercepted 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones launched toward the country from Iran, in the latest wave of attacks targeting its security and stability.
In a statement, the ministry said its forces successfully intercepted and neutralized the threats with high efficiency, as part of an integrated defense system reflecting a high level of readiness to address various threats.
It added that since the start of the “Iranian attacks,” air defenses have intercepted 398 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,872 drones in ongoing operations aimed at protecting the country’s airspace.
The ministry said the attacks resulted in the deaths of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as a Moroccan civilian contractor with the military. Eight other civilians were also killed, of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, and Indian nationalities.
It added that 178 people were injured, with injuries ranging from minor to severe, including nationals from the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden, and Tunisia.
The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared to respond to any threats, stressing it will act “decisively” against anything that could undermine the country’s security, ensuring the protection of its sovereignty and national interests.
