Abu Dhabi, March 8 (NationPress) The UAE announced on Sunday that its air defense systems successfully identified 17 ballistic missiles, with 16 being neutralized, while one missile landed in the sea.

The Ministry of Defence of the UAE reported that a total of 117 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were detected, out of which 113 were intercepted and four fell within the nation's borders.

In a statement shared via social media platform X, the UAE's Ministry of Defence noted, "Since the onset of the Iranian aggressions, 238 ballistic missiles have been identified. Of these, 221 were destroyed, 15 fell into the sea, and two impacted within the nation. A total of 1,422 Iranian UAVs have also been tracked, with 1,342 intercepted while 80 landed within the country's territory. Additionally, eight cruise missiles were detected and eliminated."

"These strikes resulted in the tragic loss of four lives among Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationals, while 112 individuals sustained injuries ranging from moderate to minor. The injured included citizens from the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Comoros, and Turkey," the statement continued.

The UAE's Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its preparedness to address any threats and emphasized that it would respond decisively to any actions that could jeopardize the nation's security, ensuring the protection of its sovereignty, safety, and stability, while safeguarding its national interests and capabilities.

On March 7, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the security of the UAE and the safety of all its inhabitants and visitors are top priorities and expressed the country’s readiness to confront any threats.

In a message shared on X, he remarked, "To all who call the UAE home and those visiting our cherished nation, the UAE prioritizes the security and protection of all citizens, residents, and visitors. With God’s grace, we are fully equipped to tackle these threats."

He commended the UAE's armed forces, security agencies, and all national entities dedicated to maintaining the nation's safety.

He also acknowledged the vigilance demonstrated by the UAE populace.

In his statement, the UAE President expressed, "I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the awareness exhibited by our Emirati community and our resident brothers and sisters, who have shown their sincere love and loyalty to the UAE through actions and words. In the UAE, everyone embodies Emirati spirit through their affection for this land and their contributions to it."

"May God bless the victims and grant a swift recovery to the injured. With divine support, the UAE—land of Zayed—will continue to stand strong in its unity, unwavering in defending its sovereignty, and steadily progressing towards the future," he concluded.

The latest escalation in West Asia commenced following coordinated US-Israel strikes on Iran on Saturday, aimed at diminishing Tehran's missile capabilities and broader military infrastructure.

This initial strike resulted in the deaths of prominent Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting a significant retaliation from Iran through drone and missile assaults directed at US assets, regional capitals, and allied forces throughout West Asia.