Iranian missiles have shattered the peace across the Gulf region, striking US military bases and civilian areas in retaliation for American and Israeli attacks on the Islamic republic.
Missiles streaked across clear desert skies on Saturday as smoke rose from US bases in Manama and Abu Dhabi, whilst loud explosions shook high-rise windows in Dubai.
The strikes marked a dramatic escalation in Middle East tensions, bringing warfare to cities that have long prided themselves on stability.
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Panic grips normally peaceful region
In Qatar, dozens of residents fled in terror as a falling missile plunged into a residential neighbourhood, erupting in a fireball as it struck the street. Abu Dhabi golfers were stunned to see projectiles flying overhead during what had been a quiet round.
The attacks caused widespread shock amongst the Gulf’s diverse, expatriate-heavy populations. In Bahrain’s capital Manama, residents were hurriedly evacuated from the Juffair district housing the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet base.
“When we heard the sounds, we cried out of fear,” said Jana Hassan, a 15-year-old school student visiting a friend in the area. “We didn’t know what to do … I will never forget the sound of those loud blasts.”
Multiple targets across Gulf states
A drone struck Kuwait’s international airport, causing minor injuries to several employees and limited damage to the passenger terminal, according to civil aviation authorities.
In Dubai, witnesses reported hearing an explosion and seeing thick black smoke rising from a hotel on the famed man-made Palm island, with ambulances rushing to the scene.
“It was a rumble and then a bang,” one Dubai resident told AFP, requesting anonymity.
Growing casualty toll
Israel’s emergency services reported evacuating a 17-year-old to hospital with lower limb injuries following the Iranian missile barrage, marking the second injury in Israel since morning.
Meanwhile, the death toll from an attack on a school in Iran’s south rose to 85, according to the country’s judiciary. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned what he described as a “barbaric” attack on the school.
Iran also announced the closure of all universities until further notice following the strikes. “The Minister of Science announced the closure of universities across the country until further notice,” the official IRNA news agency reported.
International response and flight cancellations
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that UK warplanes were involved in “defensive operations” in Middle East skies but stressed Britain “played no role” in the US-Israeli attack on Iran.
“Our forces are active and British planes are in the sky today as part of coordinated regional defensive operations to protect our people, our interests and our allies,” Starmer said.
The UK Foreign Office urged British citizens in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to “immediately shelter in place” whilst updating travel advice to warn “against all travel to Israel and Palestine”.
British Airways cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv and Bahrain for several days, whilst Wizz Air suspended all flights to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman until 7 March.
The Gulf monarchies have worked hard to remain on the periphery of Middle East conflicts, relying on their stability to attract business, trade and tourism. Saturday’s sudden violence has shattered that carefully cultivated image of calm in one of the world’s most strategically important regions.
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