Gulf air defenses intercepted waves of Iranian missiles and drones on Friday, countering with high efficiency attacks on vital sites and civilian facilities in response to US and Israeli strikes on Tehran since Feb. 28.
Kuwait’s Mubarak Al-Kabeer and Shuwaikh ports were hit in coordinated drone and missile attacks from Iran, causing material damage but no casualties.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi air defenses intercepted six ballistic missiles and 26 drones over Riyadh and the Eastern Region on Friday, Defense Ministry spokesperson Turki al-Malki said.
Thirteen drones were destroyed in each region, with interceptor debris falling near a military site in Riyadh without causing casualties.
Six ballistic missiles were launched toward Riyadh. Two were intercepted, while four fell into the Gulf waters and uninhabited areas.
The Interior Ministry warned that photographing or sharing information about interceptions or impact sites could lead to legal action.
Kuwait
Kuwait intercepted and destroyed four hostile ballistic missiles in the past 24 hours, Defense Ministry spokesperson Colonel Staff Saud Al-Atwan said. A cruise missile struck Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, causing material damage but no casualties.
Four drones targeting Mubarak Al-Kabeer and Shuwaikh ports were also intercepted, along with three other hostile aircraft in Kuwaiti airspace.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Brigadier Nasser Bousleib said special forces shot down nine drones over the past 24 hours. Authorities handled 14 reports of falling debris, bringing the total to 579 since the start of the attacks.
Head of Alarm Systems Department at the General Directorate of Civil Defense Lieutenant Colonel Yousef Al-Otaibi said a national emergency alerts service had been activated on iPhones with updated operating systems, adding that the first live test was launched on Thursday across all phones.
Kuwait National Guard spokesperson Brigadier Jadaan Fadhel said two drones were shot down at sites under protection, as part of efforts to secure vital locations and counter threats.
Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah visited Kuwait International Airport on Friday, where he reviewed measures to contain a fire triggered by what he described as an attack on fuel tanks.
UAE
UAE air defenses intercepted six ballistic missiles and nine drones on Friday, bringing totals since the start of the attacks to 378 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,835 drones.
The Defense Ministry said the attacks killed two armed forces personnel on duty, a Moroccan civilian contractor, and eight others of various nationalities. It said 171 people were injured, with wounds ranging from minor to severe.
The ministry said it remained on high alert to counter threats and protect the country’s security, sovereignty and stability.
Bahrain
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa praised the Bahrain Defense Force for its high readiness and operational efficiency.
Speaking during a meeting with officers, attended by Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, he said efforts were continuing to strengthen readiness and performance to protect the country and its citizens.
He described the force as a pillar of national security and a shield for the kingdom.
The Bahrain Defense Force later said air defenses continued to confront successive waves of Iranian attacks, destroying 154 missiles and 362 drones since the start of the campaign.
It said the strikes on civilian facilities and private property violated international humanitarian law and the UN Charter and posed a direct threat to regional security.
Authorities urged residents to stay indoors except when necessary, avoid damaged sites and suspicious objects, refrain from filming military activity or debris, and rely on official sources for updates.
Qatar
Qatar’s Interior Ministry said on Friday morning the security threat level had risen, urging residents to stay indoors, away from windows and exposed areas.
Minutes later, it said the threat had passed, and the situation had returned to normal, calling on the public to follow official guidance.
