Nigerians Among 141 Injured As UAE Intercepts Iranian Missiles

Nigerians Among 141 Injured As UAE Intercepts Iranian Missiles

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence has confirmed that nationals from Nigeria and several other countries were among those injured after the country’s air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones launched from Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said its air defence systems successfully engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched toward the UAE on March 14.

According to the ministry, the incident resulted in six fatalities involving Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals, while 141 people sustained minor to moderate injuries.

“These attacks have resulted in six fatalities of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals, and 141 minor to moderate injuries among nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden,” the ministry said. (Gulf Today)

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Authorities did not disclose the exact number of Nigerians affected, but confirmed that foreign nationals from more than 30 countries were among those injured.

Officials explained that most casualties were caused by falling debris and shrapnel from intercepted missiles and drones, which landed in several areas after the air defence systems destroyed the incoming projectiles.

The ministry also revealed that since the start of what it described as “Iranian aggression,” the UAE’s defence systems have intercepted 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and nearly 1,600 unmanned aerial vehicles launched toward the country.

Earlier defence updates had indicated that hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles have been launched toward the UAE since late February, with the vast majority intercepted before reaching their targets. (Gulf Today)

The UAE government said its armed forces remain on high alert and are fully prepared to respond to any threats against the country.

“The UAE remains ready to firmly confront any attempts to undermine its security while safeguarding its sovereignty and national interests,” the ministry stated.

The attacks come amid rising tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The latest escalation followed Israeli airstrikes on targets in Tehran, which Israeli authorities said were aimed at weakening Iran’s nuclear programme. The United States later joined the military operation, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

In response to the deteriorating security situation, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier issued a travel advisory urging Nigerians living in Iran and other Gulf countries to remain vigilant and limit non-essential movement while monitoring developments.

Authorities in the UAE have urged residents to rely on official information sources and avoid spreading unverified reports, assuring the public that the country’s air defence systems remain capable of countering further threats.

Nigerians Among 141 Injured As UAE Intercepts Iranian Missiles