Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 22 (ANI): The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Defence says the country’s military is actively carrying out defensive operations after a new wave of aerial attacks on Sunday morning. In an official release, the Ministry said UAE air defences are “currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran.”
The statement follows a broader update issued Saturday in which the Ministry said its systems have intercepted hundreds of aerial threats since the start of the West Asia conflict: 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,748 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) reportedly originating from Iran.
In a detailed post on X, the Ministry reported that on 21 March 2026 its air defences engaged three ballistic missiles and eight UAVs launched from Iran. The post said: “The UAE air defence systems on 21 March 2026 engaged 3 ballistic missiles and 8 UAVs launched from Iran. Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,748 UAVs.”
The Ministry confirmed the sustained attacks have caused both military and civilian casualties. Two members of the armed forces were killed while carrying out their duties. In addition, six civilians from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Palestine were reported killed.
A total of 160 people were injured, with casualties ranging from minor to severe. The Ministry’s statement noted that the injured include nationals from the UAE, India, Egypt, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Sudan, Ethiopia, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Turkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden and Tunisia.
Reiterating its commitment to protecting national security, the Ministry said the UAE remains fully prepared to counter any threats and vowed to respond firmly to attempts to undermine the country’s sovereignty, security and stability.
The Ministry’s remarks come amid rising regional tensions that began on 28 February following the killing of Iran’s 86-year-old former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint US-Israeli strikes, according to the report. In retaliation, Iran has targeted Israeli and US assets across several Gulf states and Israel, disrupting shipping routes and affecting international energy markets.
The ongoing confrontation has led Iran to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy shipments. The report also notes that following the death of Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was installed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. (ANI)
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