UAE intercepts 23 Iranian ballistic missiles, 56 deadly drones

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The United Arab Emirates successfully engaged 23 ballistic missiles and 56 drones launched from Iran on Saturday, the Ministry of Defence announced in its daily update, highlighting the ongoing intensity of aerial assaults targeting the Gulf state.

In a statement released on social media, the ministry confirmed that its layered air defence systems, which include advanced platforms such as THAAD and Patriot acquired from the United States, intercepted all the incoming threats before they could reach their targets.

The operation underscores the effectiveness of the UAE’s multi-tiered defence architecture in safeguarding national airspace and critical infrastructure amid escalating regional tensions.

This latest barrage brings the cumulative total of interceptions since the start of the conflict to 498 ballistic missiles, 23 cruise missiles, and 2,141 drones.

The figures reflect a sustained campaign of missile and drone attacks directed at the UAE, which has positioned itself as a key economic and diplomatic hub in the Middle East.

Despite the high success rate of defensive operations, the human cost has been tragic. Authorities reported that 13 people have been killed in the UAE since the war began: two members of the armed forces, one contractor, and ten civilians. An additional 217 individuals have sustained injuries, many from falling debris or secondary impacts.

The April 4 attack follows a pattern of near-daily Iranian strikes that have tested the resilience of Emirati defences throughout March and early April. On April 3 alone, the UAE intercepted 18 ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles, and 47 drones, while previous days saw similar large-scale attempts.

Defence officials have repeatedly emphasised that the country remains on high alert, with systems operating at peak readiness to counter any further threats. The ministry described the interceptions as proof of the “effectiveness of the country’s layered air defence systems.”