Abu Dhabi, March 4 (NationPress) - The Ministry of Defence of the UAE announced on Wednesday that its air defence systems have effectively thwarted three ballistic missiles and identified a total of 129 drones, with 121 intercepted while eight fell within the nation's borders.

The ministry reported that since the onset of the Iranian offensive, it has detected 189 ballistic missiles aimed at the UAE, successfully destroying 175, with 13 landing in the sea and one impacting the territory of the UAE.

As per the statement shared by the UAE's Ministry of Defence on X, 941 Iranian drones have been identified, out of which 876 were intercepted and 65 fell within the country. Additionally, eight cruise missiles were also detected and neutralized.

The ministry's statement conveyed that, "The attacks have resulted in some collateral damage, leading to the unfortunate fatalities of three individuals from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, alongside 78 minor injuries affecting individuals from various nationalities including Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, and Afghan backgrounds."

It was noted that the sound of explosions echoed throughout several regions of the UAE due to the interceptor operations aimed at both ballistic missiles and hostile drones. These defensive actions caused minor to moderate damage to a number of civilian establishments.

The ministry condemned these military actions, categorizing them as a "clear act of aggression and a blatant breach of national sovereignty and international law."

It emphasized that the UAE retains its full right to respond decisively to this escalation, undertaking all necessary steps to safeguard its territory, its populace, and residents, ensuring its sovereignty, security, stability, and national interests.

The UAE's Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its readiness to tackle any threats, implementing all requisite measures to firmly address challenges that could undermine the nation’s safety and stability. Moreover, it stressed that the safety of individuals is paramount and should never be compromised. Citizens were advised to seek information from reliable sources within the UAE and to refrain from spreading rumors or unverified news.

The current conflict in West Asia escalated following coordinated US-Israel air strikes on Iran last Saturday, aimed at diminishing Tehran's missile capabilities and broader military infrastructure.

This initial wave of the operation resulted in the deaths of high-ranking figures within the Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting Iran to launch a sweeping retaliation involving drone and missile attacks targeting US assets, regional capitals, and allied forces throughout West Asia.