Dubai, Abu Dhabi News Live Updates: Rocket strike in Abu Dhabi kills Palestinian national; Emirates halts Dubai flights

Dubai, UAE, Abu Dhabi Attack News Today Live Updates: As the West Asia war escalates, the Saudi Ministry of Defence intercepted 37 drones in the country’s east over the past 24 hours, though it remains unclear where they were launched from. Kuwait’s National Guard also said it intercepted two drones in the past 24 hours. Earlier, a drone strike on Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem base on Sunday hit a shelter used by the Italian Task Force Air and destroyed a remotely piloted aircraft stationed there.

Dubai airport incident and disruptions: A drone incident near Dubai International Airport affected one of the fuel tanks, the Dubai Media Office said on X. The attack triggered a fire near the airport, which civil defence crews later brought under control with no injuries reported. Dubai Police announced the closure of Airport Road, the Airport Tunnel, and intersections at Cargo Village and Marrakech Street leading to the airport. However, Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, denied Iran’s involvement, saying, “Iran is not the party responsible for these attacks, and if Iran had carried them out, it would have announced it.”

What Trump said on Iran: Onboard Air Force One, US President Donald Trump said, “We had some very good results today in Iran, very strong results militarily. We are talking to countries about policing the Strait of Hormuz because they are the ones that rely on it for oil. The US gets very little oil from there, about 1 or 2 per cent, but China, for example, gets about 90 per cent of its oil through the strait of Hormuz. It would be good if other countries helped police it with us and we will work with them. Militarily, as far as I am concerned, we have essentially defeated Iran.” He further added that they may have a little bit of fight back left, but not much. “We can take that out within five minutes if we want, everything is locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump said.

CHECK LATEST UPDATES ON THE US-ISRAEL VS IRAN WAR HERE

5 key developments:

• Drone fire near Dubai airport: A drone strike hit a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport, causing a fire that emergency crews later brought under control. No injuries were reported.

• Saudi Arabia intercepts drones: Saudi Arabia said it intercepted 37 drones over its eastern region in about 90 minutes.

• Drone strike reported in Kuwait base: A drone attack hit Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, damaging a shelter used by an Italian air task force and destroying an unmanned aircraft.

• Iran denies role in Dubai incident: Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, said Tehran was not responsible for the drone attacks.

• Trump urges countries to police Hormuz: Trump said the US was speaking to countries about helping secure the Strait of Hormuz, adding nations that rely on the route for oil should help protect it.

A fire broke out at an industrial zone in Fujairah, UAE, following a drone strike, the emirate’s media office said. Civil defence teams are working to contain the blaze, and no injuries have been reported so far.

• •Al Jazeera

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said a rocket fell on a civilian vehicle in the Al Bahia area, killing one person of Palestinian nationality. In a statement, the office urged the public to rely only on official sources for information and refrain from circulating rumours or unverified reports.

تعاملت الجهات المختصة في إمارة أبوظبي مع حادث نتيجة سقوط صاروخ على مركبة مدنية في منطقة الباهية، ما أسفر عن مقتل شخص واحد من الجنسية الفلسطينية.ونهيب بالجمهور استقاء المعلومات من المصادر الرسمية فقط، وتجنُّب تداول الشائعات أو المعلومات غير الموثوقة.— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) March 16, 2026

تعاملت الجهات المختصة في إمارة أبوظبي مع حادث نتيجة سقوط صاروخ على مركبة مدنية في منطقة الباهية، ما أسفر عن مقتل شخص واحد من الجنسية الفلسطينية.ونهيب بالجمهور استقاء المعلومات من المصادر الرسمية فقط، وتجنُّب تداول الشائعات أو المعلومات غير الموثوقة.

While Emirates airlines has stuck to halting flights to and from Dubai, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has said that some flights will gradually resume operations to and from Dubai International Airport to selected destinations.

Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights.

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the gradual resumption of some flights to and from Dubai International Airport to selected destinations, following the temporary suspension implemented as a precautionary measure.Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for…— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 16, 2026

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the gradual resumption of some flights to and from Dubai International Airport to selected destinations, following the temporary suspension implemented as a precautionary measure.Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for…

The official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed that three drones were intercepted and destroyed over the Riyadh and Eastern regions of Saudi Arabia.

المتحدث الرسمي لـ #_: اعتراض وتدمير 3 مسيّرات في منطقتي الرياض والشرقية. pic.twitter.com/l9xmClMzHn— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 16, 2026

المتحدث الرسمي لـ #_: اعتراض وتدمير 3 مسيّرات في منطقتي الرياض والشرقية. pic.twitter.com/l9xmClMzHn

Emirates airlines announced that it will operate a limited schedule after 10am (06:00 GMT) today. This statement comes after the Dubai airport was temporarily closed and all flight operations were suspended after a drone hit a fuel tank and set it on fire.

All flights to and from Dubai have been temporarily suspended.Please do not go to the airport.Emirates will share updates when available. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority… pic.twitter.com/m5eIloT2wk— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 16, 2026

All flights to and from Dubai have been temporarily suspended.Please do not go to the airport.Emirates will share updates when available. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority… pic.twitter.com/m5eIloT2wk

The UAE Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems are responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. "The sounds heard in parts of the country were caused by air defence systems intercepting the projectiles," the ministry said in a statement. It did not immediately provide further details on any damage or casualties.

• •Al Jazeera

Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates. pic.twitter.com/BNHRYDBpGd— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 16, 2026

Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates. pic.twitter.com/BNHRYDBpGd

The Saudi Ministry of Defence said that they intercepted three waves of drones in the eastern side of the country. The Ministry said 12 were destroyed in the latest wave, while six were shot down before that. Another five were intercepted earlier.The report comes after the ministry reported intercepting 37 drones in the early hours of the morning.

• •Al Jazeera

Dubai Airports announces the diversion of some flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

Dubai Airports announces the diversion of some flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 16, 2026

Dubai Airports announces the diversion of some flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram