African nationals were among dozens injured in an Iranian missile strike on the United Arab Emirates, according to a statement from Abu Dhabi’s Ministry of Defence. The weekend attack killed three foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh and left 58 others with minor injuries. Those wounded include citizens of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda and Egypt, as well as several Asian countries, authorities said. The strike is part of a broader escalation after Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles toward the UAE beginning Saturday, following joint air raids on Iranian targets by Israel and the United States. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks aimed at Israeli territory and US military installations across the region, including sites within the UAE.
The Gulf state hosts key US military assets and major expatriate communities, making it particularly vulnerable to regional spillover. Officials have not disclosed the specific location of the strike but confirmed that emergency services responded swiftly and that the injured received medical treatment. The intensifying conflict has also disrupted international travel. Major aviation hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi have experienced airspace restrictions and flight suspensions as airlines reroute aircraft to avoid high-risk zones. The Gulf region serves as a critical transit corridor linking Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Thousands of travelers have been stranded as governments monitor the security situation and carriers reassess flight paths. Aviation authorities say further delays and cancellations are possible if hostilities persist. With tensions rising and missile exchanges continuing, foreign nationals across the Middle East remain on alert as regional stability hangs in the balance.
