Dubai: In less than a week since joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran killed Ayatollah Ali Khemenei, Dubai’s image as a safe haven for expatriates and their businesses has been shattered.
As Iran retaliates by trying to target American bases in the Middle East, it has been raining drones and missiles on several cities in the Gulf region, including Dubai.
On Friday, residents of Dubai went into a panic mode after receiving emergency alerts warning of ‘potential missile threats’ on mobile phones.
According to the alert issued by the UAE Interior Ministry, people were asked to remain indoors and stay alert to potential threats.
“Due to the current situation, potential missile threats, seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building and steer away from windows, doors and open areas,” read the alert.
The stark warning left residents tense and anxious, with many reaching out to their near and dear ones to return home and look to stock up daily essentials.
“We got four back-to-back alerts on the
phone. We have stocked up on essentials and kept a bag ready with all important documents, including passports, in case of any emergency,” India Today quoted a Dubai resident as saying.
Amid the uncertainty, Dubai Police appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information online as it could create unnecessary panic and harm public safety.
“Information is a responsibility… And spreading unreliable news may cause anxiety, and contribute to undermining the security and stability of society. To preserve your safety and security, we urge you to rely on official sources and to handle with responsibility what is circulated across digital platforms,” Dubai Police posted on X.
Following the attack in Tehran on February 28, followed by Iranian retaliation in several countries in the region, the conflict has rapidly escalated. Air travel across the Middle East has been severely disrupted.
Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports and a key global transit hub, was hit on the second day itself and is one of the most severely affected as widespread airspace closures have resulted in travel chaos across the region.
A large number of foreign travellers, including hundreds of Indians, were stranded in Gulf nations, particularly the United Arab Emirates, due to flight cancellations.
Some airlines have started limited operations to fly back stranded passengers.