UAE Successfully Neutralizes 137 Missiles and 209 Drones from Iran
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Abu Dhabi, March 1 (NationPress) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Sunday that its air force and air defense units have effectively intercepted and neutralized 137 ballistic missiles and 209 drones that were launched by Iran.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence, 132 of the intercepted missiles were destroyed, while five fell into the sea. Out of the 209 drones detected, 195 were intercepted successfully, and 14 landed within the nation’s territory and waters, leading to minimal collateral damage.
The ministry reported that some debris landed in various locations, causing slight material damage to civilian infrastructure. They assured that all necessary measures have been taken to maintain public safety and secure the impacted sites, as per reports from Xinhua news agency.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi are currently addressing an incident linked to the interception of a drone aimed at Zayed International Airport. The interception resulted in shrapnel falling, which tragically led to the death of one individual of Asian nationality and left seven others injured, as confirmed by Abu Dhabi Airports.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has activated contingency procedures to mitigate the repercussions of the attack and ensure that the aviation sector remains operational.
Approximately 20,200 travelers have been affected due to flight rescheduling, with provisions for temporary accommodation, meals, and rebooking arrangements being made by the GCAA.
Earlier on Saturday, a fire erupted in a building located on Dubai's iconic Palm Jumeirah, which is suspected to have been ignited by debris from an Iranian missile.
In the evening, videos shared on social media depicted a thick plume of black smoke emanating from the structure, coupled with reports of several loud explosions in the vicinity.
The Dubai Civil Defence confirmed that four individuals sustained injuries from an explosion in the Palm Jumeirah region.
Meanwhile, Iran's state media announced on Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died due to US-Israeli attacks. The Iranian government has declared a 40-day mourning period following this news. Reports from Iran's Fars News Agency indicate that four of Khamenei's family members, including his daughter, grandchild, and son-in-law, also perished in the strikes.