6 killed, Nigerians, others injured as Iran rains missiles, drones on UAE

 

At least six people have been confirmed dead while more than 140 others, including Nigerians, were injured after Iran carried out another round of missile and drone strikes aimed at United States-linked facilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed that its air defence systems intercepted a number of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran, describing the development as a serious escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

According to the ministry, defence units responded to nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones fired during the attack that occurred on March 14.

Officials said the strikes resulted in six fatalities and left 141 people injured, among them foreign nationals residing and working in the Gulf nation.

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

“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.”

Authorities revealed that those killed included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

While the ministry did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, it confirmed that individuals from several countries, including Nigeria, were among the injured.

Other affected nationals are from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The list also includes Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.

Despite protests from neighbouring countries, Iran has reportedly continued launching missile and drone strikes across parts of the Gulf region.

The attacks are believed to be retaliation for recent military operations by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets.

Late on Friday and into Saturday, Iran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, with some of the strikes reportedly damaging infrastructure.

The UAE remains a major travel, employment and transit destination for many Nigerian citizens.

Meanwhile, Nigerians stranded in different Gulf countries have appealed to the Federal Government to make arrangements for evacuation flights should the security situation worsen.

It is still uncertain how many Nigerians are currently in Iran or other Middle Eastern countries affected by the ongoing conflict.