By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The United Arab Emirates has disclosed that its air defense forces intercepted a major wave of attacks launched from Iran on March 14, revealing significant casualties and providing a cumulative tally of what it describes as sustained Iranian aggression.
In a statement released on Saturday, the UAE Ministry of Defence reported that its air defense systems engaged 9 ballistic missiles and 33 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) originating from Iran.
The announcement provides a detailed breakdown of the attack’s impact. The Ministry confirmed that the assaults resulted in the deaths of six individuals of various nationalities and caused over 140 injuries.
According to the official statement, the fatalities included nationals from the UAE, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Furthermore, the Ministry reported 141 minor to moderate injuries among residents and workers from a wide range of countries, including Egypt, India, the Philippines, Iran, Ethiopia, Turkey, and several others, totaling 27 different nationalities. The statement did not specify the exact locations of the casualties or the specific incidents that caused them.
Providing a broader context for the hostilities, the Ministry stated that “since the onsets of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1600 UAVs launched from Iran.” This suggests a sustained campaign of aerial attacks that the UAE maintains it has been forced to repel over time.
Reaffirming its defensive posture, the Ministry of Defence stated that its armed forces remain on full alert and are fully prepared to respond to any further threats to the nation’s security and sovereignty. It emphasized its commitment to protecting national interests and the safety of all residents within the federation.
The disclosure from the UAE comes as neighboring Qatar has intensified its diplomatic efforts against Iran at the United Nations.
On Friday, the Qatari government sent its eighth formal letter to the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council, denouncing what it terms repeated military aggression by Iran against its territory.
The letter, submitted by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, describes the incidents as serious violations of Qatari sovereignty and territorial integrity, highlighting their destabilizing implications for the broader region.
