Dubai, Abu Dhabi news highlights: Saudi Arabia intercepts 10 drones in east

Smoke rising from an area near the Dubai International Airport is seen through the windshield of a vehicle, after a drone attack in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi news highlights: A sharp escalation is unfolding across the Gulf after Iran warned of “uncontrollable consequences” following strikes on its South Pars gas field. Dubai’s official media office said air defence systems carried out successful interception operations over the city, with no injuries reported. The Kuwaiti Army said it is confronting a fresh wave of “hostile missile and drone attacks” and urged residents to follow official safety instructions, adding that the explosions heard were due to air defence systems intercepting incoming threats.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence said it also intercepted and destroyed another drone over al-Jawf province in the north, as the wave of drone attacks continued over several hours.

Etihad Airways on Friday said it is operating a limited schedule of commercial flights between Abu Dhabi and select destinations, as services gradually resume.

Here are the latest updates:

• Qatar said missile strikes caused extensive damage to its Ras Laffan LNG facility, cutting exports by around 17% and leading to estimated losses of about $20 billion annually; repairs could take up to five years

• The UAE’s State Security Department said it has dismantled a terrorist network allegedly backed by Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran, with all members taken into custody Officials said the group operated under the guise of a fake commercial entity, attempting to penetrate the national economy and advance external agendas that could undermine financial stability

• Bahrain said its air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed 139 ballistic missiles and 238 drones since the start of the conflict

• Dubai residents received mobile alerts warning of potential Iranian missile threats, while Kuwait said it shot down Iranian drones

•The United States approved $16.46 billion in military sales to the UAE and Kuwait amid escalating tensions

•The UAE called Iran’s attacks on the Habshan gas facility and Bab field a “dangerous escalation,” after Israel’s strikes on Iran’s South Pars field prompted Tehran to warn of “uncontrollable consequences”