UAE neutralises 19 missiles, 26 drones in fresh wave of aerial attacks
Defense operations remain in place to counter any further threats
ABU DHABI – UAE air defences successfully engaged 19 ballistic missiles and 26 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran on Thursday, as regional hostilities continued to intensify.
The interceptions form part of a broader operational response to sustained aerial threats, with defence systems remaining on high alert.
Authorities confirmed that the engagements were carried out as part of ongoing efforts to protect national security and safeguard residents.
Defence response
Since the onset of the recent attacks, UAE air defences have intercepted a total of 457 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,038 UAVs, reflecting the scale of the aerial threat faced in recent days. The country’s layered defence systems have been actively engaged to counter repeated incursions, with military operations continuing around the clock. Officials emphasised that these measures are part of coordinated defensive efforts to neutralise incoming projectiles before they reach populated areas.
الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية تتعامل مع الصواريخ الباليستية والجوالة والمسيرات الإيرانية.
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) April 2, 2026
UAE Air Defences engaged Iranian
Ballistic and Cruise Missiles and UAVs Attacks#وزارة_الدفاع #وزارة_الدفاع_الإماراتية#MOD#UAEMinistryOfDefence pic.twitter.com/7vr5b4TGBF
The sustained wave of attacks has resulted in human casualties, including the martyrdom of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty. In addition, a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces was also martyred during the incidents. Further fatalities were reported among civilians of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities, underscoring the international impact of the attacks.
A total of 191 people have been injured, with cases ranging from minor to moderate and severe injuries. The injured include nationals from a wide range of countries, reflecting the diverse population within the UAE. Among those affected are citizens from the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden and Tunisia.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as defensive operations remain in place to counter any further threats. Emergency and medical services are on standby, ensuring rapid response to any developments on the ground, while security forces maintain vigilance across critical infrastructure and residential areas.