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Iranian drones have targeted the United Arab Emirates' landmark buildings, such as Etihad Towers, Burj al Arab, Burj Khalifa, and Palm Jumeirah, since Feb. 28.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi, two of the largest emirates within the country, host millions of expats who came to cities with the 'promise of safety' in a volatile Middle East. However, the air defense systems within the country were not able to totally prevent Iran's drone attacks that hit some landmark buildings that hosted many expats and tourists.
If Iran's attacks continue for weeks in response to Israeli-US attacks, Dubai and Abu Dhabi economies may suffer more if Iran starts using 'more damaging missiles' against both cities.
A picture shared on social media shows that life in Dubai came to a halt following Iran's attack.
A woman and her child were among those injured by falling debris from intercepted Iranian drones, as the UAE repelled attacks on Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The woman and child were left with minor injuries in the incident at Etihad Towers in the capital, after the Iranian drone was hit by air defense systems, authorities said. One of the buildings was damaged.
Two people were also injured in Dubai after drones were intercepted by the UAE’s air defences. Debris fell near two houses in the emirate, state news agency Wam reported, with the injured receiving immediate medical attention.
Explosions rocked Dubai's Palm Jumeirah man-made island, and drone debris caused a fire at the Burj Al Arab ultra-luxury hotel as waves of Iranian missiles targeted the UAE on Saturday, authorities said.
Dubai Airport, the world's busiest for international traffic, and Jebel Ali Seaport also suffered damage as the unprecedented attacks hit some of the city's major landmarks and revenue earners.
Two witnesses on the Palm, an upscale, palm tree-shaped residential and leisure development, heard an explosion and saw smoke rising from a five-star hotel.
Hours later, a second blast exploded close to the same building after what looked like a drone plunged from above, another witness saw.
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The United Arab Emirates said 137 missiles and 209 drones were fired at its territory by Iran, most of them intercepted by defense systems.
Debris from an intercepted drone sparked a fire at the base of the Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped building sometimes touted as the world's first seven-star hotel.
"Authorities confirm that a drone was intercepted and debris caused a minor fire on the Burj Al Arab's outer facade," the Dubai Media Office wrote on X.
"Civil defense teams responded immediately and brought the incident under control. No injuries have been reported."
An AFP correspondent saw a police car deployed at the entrance of the hotel, which is blocked to pedestrians and vehicles.
Four staff were wounded at Dubai airport as a concourse sustained "minor damage," the facility's governing body said. The UAE had already closed its airspace, meaning most passengers had left the airport.
In Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, one person was killed and seven were wounded in an "incident" at Zayed International Airport, its governing body said.
Falling debris from an interception also set off a blaze at Dubai's Jebel Ali port, which hosts US warships and is capable of handling aircraft carriers.
A top Emirati official said Sunday Iran's Gulf attacks had isolated the country, warning Tehran not to target its neighbors, as its retaliatory campaign in the region entered its second day.
"The Iranian aggression against the Gulf states was a miscalculation and it isolated Iran at a critical juncture. Your war is not with your neighbors," said presidential adviser Anwar Gargash.
"Return to reason, to your surroundings, and deal with your neighborss rationally and responsibly before the circle of isolation and escalation widens."
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