Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Mar 6: Residents in Dubai were gripped by panic on Friday after receiving emergency alerts on their mobile phones warning of a possible missile attack amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East.
According to the alerts, people were advised to avoid stepping outdoors, remain cautious and be prepared for any emergency situation. Several residents reported receiving multiple back-to-back warnings on their phones.
“We got four back-to-back alerts on the phone. We have stocked up on essentials and kept a bag ready with all important documents, including passports, in case of any emergency,” a resident said.
The alerts came amid rising hostilities following Iranian attacks on US-linked targets across Gulf countries over the past week. The situation has triggered widespread fear among residents and expatriates in the region.
Air travel across the Middle East has also been severely disrupted due to the escalating conflict, which began after coordinated airstrikes by Israel and the United States against Iran on February 28. The strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting sites across the Gulf.
The developments have led to multiple airspace closures and major disruptions to international flights across the region. As a result, thousands of travellers — including many from India — were stranded in Gulf countries, particularly in the United Arab Emirates.
Since March 2, several stranded passengers have managed to return to India as flight operations gradually resumed. Many travellers have praised the authorities in Dubai and the UAE for handling the situation efficiently despite the disruptions.
Meanwhile, the UAE government denied reports suggesting it was considering joining the United States and Israel in military strikes against Iran. A report by Axios had earlier claimed that the UAE was weighing such a move following repeated Iranian drone and missile attacks.
Responding to the report, the government clarified through the state-run Emirates News Agency that the country had not taken any decision to alter its defensive posture.
The clarification came as tensions continued to escalate after Iranian missile and drone strikes reportedly targeted key locations in the UAE, including the US Consulate in Dubai and the Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi.
The crisis has raised global concerns of a wider regional conflict, with air travel, trade and commercial transportation across the Middle East continuing to face major disruptions.
Several countries have urged all parties to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from spiralling into a full-scale war.