Abu Dhabi, March 9 (NationPress) On Monday, the Ministry of Defence of the UAE announced that its air defense systems successfully detected 15 ballistic missiles, with 12 of them intercepted and the remaining three landing in the sea.

In a statement amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia, the UAE's Ministry of Defence revealed that 18 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were identified, 17 of which were intercepted while one crashed within the nation's borders.

"Since the onset of the Iranian strikes, a total of 253 ballistic missiles have been recorded. Out of these, 233 were neutralized, 18 fell into the sea, and 2 impacted within the UAE. Additionally, 1,440 Iranian UAVs have been monitored, with 1,359 intercepted, and 81 landed within the UAE’s territory. Furthermore, 8 cruise missiles were detected and destroyed," the statement detailed.

These hostile actions resulted in four fatalities among Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationals, while 117 individuals sustained minor injuries, including Emiratis and other foreign nationals from countries such as Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Comoros, Turkey, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, and Palestine.

The UAE's Ministry of Defence affirmed its commitment to addressing any threats decisively, ensuring the protection of the nation’s sovereignty, security, and stability, as well as safeguarding its national interests and capabilities.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia escalated following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, prompting Iran to initiate drone and missile assaults on US assets, regional capitals, and allied forces in the area.

On Saturday, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized that the UAE prioritizes the safety of all its citizens and visitors, expressing the country's readiness to confront any potential threats.

In a message shared on X, he conveyed, "To everyone residing in the UAE and our guests, the security and protection of all citizens, residents, and visitors is our top priority. By God's grace, we are fully prepared to face these challenges."

He commended the UAE's armed forces, security agencies, and all national institutions for their ongoing efforts to maintain safety throughout the country. He also acknowledged the vigilance displayed by the UAE populace.

The President articulated, "I want to express my deep gratitude for the awareness demonstrated by our Emirati community and our resident brothers and sisters, who have shown their genuine love and loyalty to the UAE through both words and actions. In the UAE, everyone is Emirati through their dedication to this land and their contributions to it."

"May God grant mercy to the victims and a swift recovery to the injured. With divine blessings, the UAE — the land of Zayed — will remain resolute in its unity, steadfast in defending its sovereignty, and moving forward towards a bright future," he concluded.