UAE intercepts 20 missiles, 37 drones in latest Iranian barrage

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The United Arab Emirates’ air defense forces successfully intercepted a barrage of 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones overnight, the country’s defense ministry announced on Saturday.

This marks the latest volley in what officials described as a sustained campaign of “blatant Iranian attacks” against the Gulf nation.

The announcement, made at 13:29 local time, provided a rare cumulative tally of the nearly two-year-long aerial assault on the federation.

According to updated ministry figures, since the onset of hostilities, UAE air defenses have intercepted a total of 398 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,872 drones.

In a statement, the ministry confirmed that the ongoing attacks have resulted in 11 fatalities. Among the dead are two members of the UAE armed forces and a Moroccan civilian who was contracted by the military.

The defense ministry did not specify the time frame for the cumulative casualty count but linked them directly to what it termed “hostile actions” originating from Iran.

The latest interception came hours after authorities in Abu Dhabi confirmed that five people sustained minor injuries following the interception of a missile over the capital.

Debris from the downed projectile fell in a residential area, causing material damage but no severe injuries, according to state media.

The UAE has not formally declared war, but the country has been a frequent target of the Iran-aligned Houthi militia in Yemen.

However, by explicitly labeling the attacks as “Iranian” rather than attributing them to the Houthi proxy, the defense ministry’s language signals a growing willingness in Abu Dhabi to hold Tehran directly responsible for the ordnance manufactured and supplied to its regional allies.

Despite the military’s defensive successes, the repeated strikes have forced the UAE to balance its long-standing policy of regional de-escalation with the practical realities of defending its territory.

The government has not announced immediate plans for retaliation but has called for increased international pressure on Iran to cease the supply of advanced weaponry to its proxies.