Missile attack on UAE injures Nigerians as Iran escalates Gulf hostilities

Nigerians were among over 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, in an escalation that has heightened fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working across the Gulf nation.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates confirmed that six people were killed while 141 others sustained injuries following the attacks, which were carried out late Friday and into Saturday.

The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones launched from Iran during the latest assault on March 14, describing the incident as a major escalation in regional hostilities.

In a statement posted on its official X account, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the attack.

“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.

It added that the barrage was part of a sustained wave of attacks carried out since the beginning of what it described as “blatant Iranian aggression.”

“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Authorities did not disclose the specific locations where the fatalities occurred.

However, officials confirmed that the injured victims included residents from numerous countries, among them Nigerians.

Others affected include individuals from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Additional nationalities listed among the injured were Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.

The development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens reside and work across sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.

Data from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in major commercial centres such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

The latest attack has further heightened anxiety within the diaspora community, coming amid longstanding diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the UAE over visa restrictions and concerns regarding the welfare of Nigerian nationals.

Despite the incident, the UAE defence authorities insisted the country remained fully prepared to counter any security threats.

“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.

The ministry added that air defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones targeting the country.

“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it stated.

Regional media reports say the strikes form part of an escalation of hostilities involving Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.

According to reports by Al Jazeera, Tehran has continued sustained missile and drone attacks across parts of the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.

The strikes are believed to be retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian-linked targets in the region.

Iran reportedly targeted several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, during the coordinated attacks late Friday and into Saturday.

The missile and drone strikes also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE, though authorities did not immediately provide details of the affected facilities.

Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military arm, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warned that United States interests in the UAE could remain legitimate targets.

Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands in the region.

The IRGC reportedly identified ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets and urged residents in the UAE to avoid areas surrounding such facilities to reduce the risk of civilian casualties.