Dubai, Abu Dhabi News highlights: Operations suspended at UAE's gas facility after missile interception

Dubai, Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14

Dubai, Abu Dhabi news highlights: In the UAE, authorities said they were responding to incidents at the Habshan gas facilities and at the Bab oil field caused by falling debris from intercepted missiles. The gas facilities were shut down and no injuries were reported, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

The Habshan complex, operated by Abu Dhabi state oil giant ADNOC, is one of the world's largest gas processing facilities, comprising five plants with a total capacity of 6.1 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd), according to ADNOC.

Missiles and drones continued to target United Arab Emirates and others parts of the Gulf on Wednesday as the US-Israeli war with Iran entered the 20th day.

Iran's retaliatory strikes in response to the February 28 US-Israeli operation that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rattled the entire Gulf, with drones, missiles as well as warnings being exchanged from both the sides.

Key points

- A loud bang was heard in Dubai, while authorities confirmed all air interception operations were successful with no injuries.

-Among the major latest interceptions and targets, an Iranian projectile struck near Australia’s Middle East military headquarters in the UAE, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

-Loud explosions were heard across Dubai early Wednesday as Iran continued retaliatory strikes targeting Gulf countries, alongside a fresh barrage of missiles and drones aimed at Israel and the region.

-Authorities in Dubai said air defence systems were activated in response to incoming Iranian missile and drone threats, adding that the UAE has faced over 2,000 such attacks since the conflict began.

-Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a ballistic missile near Prince Sultan Air Base and downed eight drones, while Kuwait responded to a rocket and drone attack. Qatar also said it intercepted a missile as blasts were heard in Doha.

-Several loud explosions were reported in Baghdad on Tuesday evening, AFP reported, as a security official confirmed a drone and rocket attack targeting the US embassy.

-Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Al-Kharj, with debris falling near Prince Sultan Air Base, home to US personnel, without causing damage, as Iran continued strikes on Gulf nations.

UAE response on Iran attacks

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a series of calls with foreign ministers and senior officials to discuss escalating regional developments and the fallout of Iran’s missile attacks targeting the UAE and other countries.

A senior adviser to the UAE president, Anwar Gargash, has said Iran misjudged its strikes on the UAE and other Gulf states, warning that the attacks are driving the region closer to Israel and the United States.

Gargash said the UAE is weighing a role alongside the US in safeguarding oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

“I can see us playing a role with other countries in ensuring the safety and security of the Strait of Hormuz,” Gargash told Bloomberg. “This is the responsibility not only of the United States, but of countries in Asia, countries in the region, countries in Europe,” he added.