Canberra [Australia], March 18 (ANI): The Australian Government’s Department of Defence has confirmed that an Iranian strike impacted an area at the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning.
The facility, which has hosted a continuous Australian Defence Force (ADF) presence for many years, was hit during the early hours of the day.
In a formal statement, the department reassured that “no ADF personnel were injured in the incident, and all ADF personnel deployed to the Middle East are safe and accounted for.”
While there were no casualties, the attack caused physical damage within the facility. The strike reportedly “resulted in minor damage to an accommodation block and medical facility in the Australian section of the base.”
Following the impact, military officials have focused on preventing further risks to personnel stationed in the region. “Defence’s focus is on ensuring the safety and security of our people, and we will continue to revise force protection measures as the situation in the Middle East evolves,” the statement said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said an “Iranian projectile” struck a road just outside the base at approximately 9:15 am AEDT on Wednesday.
According to ABC News, the strike ignited a fire that caused “minor damage” to Australian medical and accommodation facilities. It remains “not clear if it was a missile or drone strike,” the Prime Minister confirmed, noting the blaze affected a clinical area and housing units.
“I can confirm that no Australian personnel were injured, and everyone is absolutely safe at this point in time,” Albanese said, adding the damage was caused by a “small fire that was created as a result of that projectile hitting a road leading up to that base.”
The facility serves as a military, logistics, surveillance and training hub for the ADF. More than 100 Australian personnel are currently stationed at the base, which also hosts British forces and a small contingent of United States military members.
This is the second time the air base has been struck during the conflict. An earlier “Iranian drone strike” hit the facility in the initial days of the war, though that incident “caused no damage to Australian facilities.”
Asked whether the base was being deliberately targeted, Albanese said the “Iranian regime is engaging in random attacks right across the region.” The UAE has faced “heavy bombardment” during the current hostilities.
ABC News reported the UAE defence ministry estimates nearly “1,700 drones and missiles” were directed at the nation in the first week of the war, with about “90 per cent” intercepted.
Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson welcomed that no personnel were hurt but warned the attack on Australian facilities at Al Minhad “is another reminder that the Islamic Republic regime in Iran is no friend of Australia.”
He reiterated the Coalition’s support for deploying E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft to assist partners like the UAE and urged the government to provide all necessary resources to protect service members.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Richard Marles said the welfare of ADF personnel remains the government’s paramount concern following the strike.
“The safety and security of the men and women who bravely wear our nation’s uniform is always our first priority, and I want to reassure people that no Australians were injured in this incident,” the Defence Minister said.
The statement comes amid heightened regional volatility, with Australian authorities continuing to monitor the safety of their forces deployed across the Middle East. (ANI)
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