Over the past two days, residents and tourists across Dubai sought refuge indoors, staying in their homes and hotels, as the vibrant city in the United Arab Emirates was targeted by a series of missile and drone attacks. These significant incursions by Iran were explicitly stated as a retaliatory response to recent combat operations spearheaded by the United States and Israel.
The impact of these strikes was widespread, affecting some of Dubai’s most iconic infrastructure. Luxury hotels, typically symbols of opulence and tranquility, sustained damage, as did Dubai’s principal international airport, which ranks among the world’s busiest hubs for passenger traffic. This unprecedented escalation brought a jarring sense of vulnerability to a city renowned for its safety and futuristic ambitions.
The BBC engaged with both long-term residents of the UAE and vacationing tourists to capture firsthand accounts of the unsettling events. Becky Williams, a local resident, described witnessing approximately 15 missiles being “launched from behind her house yesterday.” These were not incoming projectiles, but rather UAE defensive systems actively intercepting Iranian threats aimed at Dubai. “You could hear the interceptions happening in the air,” she recounted, emphasizing the audible intensity of the aerial defenses.
Despite the visible and audible signs of conflict, Williams and her family maintained a remarkable composure, expressing unwavering trust in the UAE military’s capability to secure its airspace. She conveyed a hopeful sentiment, believing that the situation would “soon calm down.” However, the Iranian retaliatory attacks against US-Israeli operations persisted, continuing through Sunday, March 1st.
The luxurious man-made archipelago of Palm Jumeirah, a beacon of Dubai’s architectural prowess, did not escape the impact. The Fairmont The Palm Hotel there experienced a substantial explosion. Furthermore, authorities confirmed that debris from successfully intercepted drones ignited “small fires” on the distinctive facade of the renowned Burj Al Arab Hotel, highlighting the proximity and peril of the airborne threats.
Adding a poignant perspective, another Dubai resident shared with the BBC, “What we’ve experienced in the last 24 hours is just a fraction of what others in conflict zones go through, so this puts things into perspective.” This reflection underscores the broader context of regional instability that momentarily enveloped the usually serene emirate.
For many, the attacks immediately disrupted daily life. Satya Jaganathan, a 35-year-old resident, found her weekend holiday plans abruptly canceled. “This is how we are now, having to stay home,” she stated, lamenting the forced confinement. Her sister, whose apartment is located near the strategically important Jebel Ali Port, had to seek shelter as “a lot of debris was falling” in that vicinity.
Local officials had previously reported on Saturday, February 28th, that fragments from an “aerial interception” led to fires at Jebel Ali Port, a critical global trade artery and the ninth busiest port worldwide. Jaganathan further elaborated on the atmosphere, noting, “The situation is still relatively calm because there are only loud noises every few hours, but it feels strange because this is not the Dubai we know.” This sentiment perfectly captures the surreal juxtaposition of intermittent normalcy and underlying tension.
Beyond the residential areas and luxury landmarks, Dubai International Airport also sustained damage in what authorities vaguely termed an “incident.” The repercussions for global travel were immense; thousands of flights destined for or departing from the Middle East were canceled. This disruption marked one of the most severe impediments to international travel experienced since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving countless passengers stranded.
Judy Trotter, a British tourist, was scheduled to fly back to London on Saturday, February 28th, but arrived at the airport only to discover her flight, along with many others, had been canceled. “I met people who were very upset because their travel plans were affected. There were thousands of people at the airport. I met people who told me they missed funerals,” she recounted, highlighting the deep personal impact of the cancellations. She also observed numerous “transit” passengers now effectively trapped in Dubai.
Trotter was one of approximately 1,000 stranded passengers provided with hotel accommodation and compensation. However, even in their temporary lodgings, guests were starkly warned to keep away from windows. “There’s a lot of glass in this hotel which is concerning. Throughout the day, several missiles were heard,” Trotter added, indicating that the threat remained palpable even indoors.
Another British tourist, Kate Fischer, openly admitted to being “very scared.” On Saturday night, while her children slept, she and her partner packed an “emergency bag.” She also took the precaution of soaking “bath towels and towels” with water, preparing for a potential need to “flee in the middle of the night in a fire.” Her experience was profoundly unsettling: “It’s a very surreal experience, being surrounded by people trying to enjoy their holiday and entertain their children while we could see visible smoke from nearby areas hit by drone or missile attacks.”
Among those caught in the unfolding situation was Vicky Pattison, a personality known for her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. Pattison was on holiday with her husband, Ercan Ramada, when their flight to Australia was canceled. In an Instagram post, the winner of I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here expressed solidarity, writing: “We are thinking of everyone who feels uneasy and unsafe right now.”
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died, who will succeed him and what might happen next?
- President Prabowo offers to mediate US-Israel conflict with Iran – ‘Very unrealistic’
- Global oil prices jump after ships attacked near the Strait of Hormuz
Summary
Over the past two days, Dubai faced missile and drone attacks from Iran, stated as retaliation for US-Israeli combat operations. These strikes impacted iconic infrastructure, including luxury hotels like Fairmont The Palm and Burj Al Arab, and Dubai International Airport. Residents witnessed UAE defensive systems actively intercepting incoming threats, creating an unsettling sense of vulnerability in the normally safe city.
The attacks significantly disrupted daily life, leading to canceled plans and debris near areas like Jebel Ali Port. Damage at Dubai International Airport caused thousands of flight cancellations, leaving numerous tourists stranded and scared. This unprecedented escalation altered the perception of Dubai for many residents and visitors, describing the experience as surreal and not “the Dubai we know.”