Dubai–Abu Dhabi News highlights: UAE says air defences responding to missile, drone attacks from Iran

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Brent crude oil was trading close to the $105 per barrel mark on Monday.

A barrel of Brent, the global benchmark, rose 1.6% to $104.73 after slipping slightly from levels above $106 per barrel earlier in the day. Prices have climbed by more than 40% since the war began.

Stock markets across Asia showed mixed movement, while US futures moved higher.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that flights to and from Dubai International Airport have started to resume gradually, the Dubai Media Office said in a post on X.

“Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the gradual resumption of some flights to and from Dubai International Airport to selected destinations, following the temporary suspension implemented as a precautionary measure. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights,” the statement said.

Flights were briefly suspended on Monday at Dubai International Airport, once among the busiest airports in the world, after a "drone-related incident" caused a fire nearby, city authorities said.

The Gulf financial hub’s media office said the incident affected a fuel tank. It later said the fire had been put out and that no injuries were reported.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Qatar Airways said in a statement that it will operate a limited number of flights between March 18 and 28 as the airline continues its temporary suspension of regular services.

The statement added:

"Passengers who currently hold a confirmed booking on a flight to one of the destinations listed in the new schedule will be contacted with new flight information. Please be sure to check the Qatar Airways website or app and ensure your contact details are correct and updated.

Please note: Flight schedules are subject to change or cancellation due to operational, regulatory, safety, or other circumstances beyond our control.

Passengers are kindly asked not to arrive at their departure airport unless they hold a valid, confirmed ticket for travel.

The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority during this period of disruption. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the current situation, which is beyond our control, and thank our passengers for their patience and understanding."

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Emirates said it expects to run limited flights after 10 am today, following an earlier drone incident near Dubai International Airport that forced operations to stop.

The airline said some flights scheduled for today have been cancelled. Passengers affected by the disruption will receive a cancellation notice and will be informed about options for rebooking.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Five people were injured on Sunday after rockets hit Baghdad International Airport, where a US diplomatic facility is located, Iraqi authorities said.

The evening strike was followed by another round of attacks around midnight, when rockets and drones again targeted the airport, a security source told AFP.

Earlier, the Iraqi government's security media cell said that at 07:00 PM (1600 GMT) "five rockets targeted Baghdad International Airport and its surrounding area, injuring four airport employees and security personnel, and an engineer".

It said some of the rockets landed at the airport and a water desalination plant. Others fell close to a prison holding Islamic State group (IS) suspects and near an Iraqi airbase beside the US diplomatic facility.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Arabia has intercepted more than 60 drones since midnight, according to a tally of defence ministry figures released on Monday.

The Saudi defence ministry posted a series of statements on X describing the interception of a total of 61 drones in the east of the country in the early hours of Monday morning.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said the country’s air defence systems are responding to a missile threat.

Residents have been advised to stay in a safe place and follow official channels for warnings and updates.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has been urging United States President Donald Trump to "keep hitting Iran hard," The New York Times reported on Sunday, citing unnamed White House officials.

According to the report, Trump regularly speaks to Arab leaders.

Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since the outbreak of the war on February 28, with targets including US diplomatic missions and military bases but also critical Gulf oil infrastructure, ports, airports, hotels and residential and office buildings.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Data from Flightradar24 showed that several diverted Emirates flights turned back to their departure points after operations to and from Dubai were briefly suspended following a drone incident near Dubai International Airport.

Monday's incident is the third at the Dubai airport, one of the world's busiest international travel hubs, since Iran began its attacks on Gulf nations on February 28, with strikes Tehran has said aim at the US presence in the region.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Emirates, the largest carrier operating out of the airport and the world’s biggest international airline, confirmed the suspension and urged passengers not to travel to the airport.

"All flights to and from Dubai have been temporarily suspended. Please do not go to the airport. Emirates will share updates when available. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience. The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and will not be compromised," Emirates wrote on X.

Emirates is currently operating at a significantly reduced number of flights, with services limited as parts of the surrounding airspace remain closed.

Notably, flights have been temporarily halted at Dubai’s main international airport on Monday after a drone strike caused a fire at a nearby fuel tank.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Dubai Police announced temporary road closures on Airport Road and the Airport Tunnel. Drivers have been advised to take alternative routes as emergency operations continue.

Earlier, the Dubai Media Office said civil defence teams had “successfully contained the fire resulting from impact to one of the fuel tanks in the vicinity” of Dubai International Airport.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Nineteen Indians were among the 35 people arrested by authorities in the United Arab Emirates for posting video clips on social media that allegedly contained “misleading and fabricated content” during heightened tensions in West Asia caused by the ongoing war between the United States, backed by Israel, and Iran.

On March 15, UAE attorney-general Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered the arrest of 25 people from different nationalities and directed that they face a fast-tracked trial.

A statement issued by Shamsi said the action followed strict monitoring of digital platforms aimed at stopping the spread of fabricated information and artificial content intended to provoke public disorder and undermine overall stability.

"Investigations and electronic monitoring revealed that the defendants were divided into three groups that committed various acts. These included the publication of real clips related to current events, the fabrication of clips using AI, and the promotion of a state practising acts of military aggression while glorifying its leadership and military actions," it said. More details about their charges here.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: An Emirates flight bound for Dubai from Kochi returned to the airport here on Monday following a security incident reported from the destination airport, a CIAL spokesman said.

Flight EK533 departed Cochin International Airport (CIAL) at 04.30 am with 325 people on board. En route, the aircraft was directed to turn back due to the sudden closure of Dubai International Airport, he said.

The flight landed here at 08.30 am, he added.

"Passengers are advised to remain on board while the situation at DXB (Dubai) is reviewed. If the airport resumes operations, the return service will continue," the spokesman said.

(With PTI inputs)

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Nineteen Indians were among the 35 people arrested by authorities in the United Arab Emirates for posting video clips on social media that allegedly contained “misleading and fabricated content” during heightened tensions in West Asia caused by the ongoing war between the United States, backed by Israel, and Iran.

UAE attorney-general Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said that such actions are crimes under the law and can lead to imprisonment for at least one year and a fine of no less than AED 1,00,000, Wam news agency reported.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: At least 500 people have been arrested in Iran on accusations of passing information to the country’s “adversaries”, Al Jazeera reported.

Iran’s English language state-news channel Press TV reported that 18 of those arrested were accused by the Iranian intelligence ministry of having links to the Iran International news channel.

Press TV quoted the ministry as saying the detainees “worked” for the channel, which Tehran has accused of having links to Israel.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Tehran said the United States used “ports, docks and hideouts” in the United Arab Emirates to carry out strikes on Kharg Island, home to Iran’s main oil export terminal.

No evidence was presented to support the claim as the conflict continues.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, said on social media that the country has the right to defend itself but “still prioritizes reason and logic, and continues exercising restraint.”

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Iran has fired over 1,800 missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates, more than any other country targeted by Tehran in the conflict, upending travel plans in the financial hub despite its air defence intercepting a vast majority of the projectiles.

On Wednesday, the city media office said two falling drones wounded four people near the airport.

Iran has taken aim at US assets but also civilian infrastructure, including landmarks, airports, ports and oil facilities around the Gulf, after US-Israeli attacks decimated its leadership.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Iran's foreign minister said on Monday that Israeli strikes on Tehran fuel depots constituted "ecocide" due to the long-term risks to residents' health.

"Israel's bombings of fuel depots in Tehran violate international law and constitute ecocide," Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X.

"Residents face long-term damage to their health and well-being. Contamination of soil and groundwater could have generational impacts," the post added.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed in a phone call that continued Iranian attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries represent a dangerous escalation threatening regional security and stability, Saudi state media reported on Monday.

The United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Iran's arch-foe Israel in 2020, has faced the brunt of the attacks. But all Gulf Arab states have been impacted, and all have condemned Iran.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Flights at Dubai International Airport were briefly halted after a drone incident affected a fuel tank close to the airport and triggered a fire.

The fire was brought under control by teams from Dubai Civil Defence, the emirate's media office said in a statement issued early on Monday.

The statement added that stopping flight operations at the airport was a precaution to protect passengers and staff. "Travellers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights."