UAE alerts residents to missile threat, later declares situation safe

After 37 days without an emergency alert amid the Middle East crisis, the UAE warned residents of a potential missile threat on Tuesday. The Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) said the country's air defence systems had detected a missile threat directed towards the UAE. Authorities urged residents to rely only on official warnings and updates.

"UAE air defence systems detected a missile threat targeting the country. Please remain in a safe location and follow warnings and updates issued through official channels," the authority said in a statement on X.

The Defence Ministry separately confirmed that its systems had detected a missile threat directed towards the country. It later clarified that any sounds heard by residents would be the result of air defence interceptions. The warning was issued against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States.

RESIDENTS TOLD TO SEEK SHELTER

The UAE Interior Ministry also issued an alert urging people to take precautions because of the "current situation" and "potential missile threats". Residents were told to seek shelter in the "closest secure building" and follow instructions issued by authorities. The Defence Ministry said it remained fully prepared to deal with any threat and protect the country's security and sovereignty.

The alert marked the first major missile warning issued to residents in weeks. The previous emergency alert came on July 12, when UAE authorities warned residents as the country's defence forces dealt with missile and drone threats outside its borders.

A separate incident in June had caused confusion after residents received emergency phone alerts warning of a possible missile threat. NCEMA later said a technical malfunction in the national early warning system had triggered those messages.

UAE ISSUES ALL-CLEAR ALERT

However, the latest alert was lifted shortly afterwards. Residents received an "all clear" message from authorities, with officials saying it was safe to resume normal activities while continuing to remain cautious and take necessary precautions.

The latest warning also revives memories of the early months of the conflict, when the UAE faced a significant number of missiles and drone threats from Iran. When the war began on February 28, nearly 3,000 missiles and drones were directed towards the UAE, according to information provided by Emirati authorities. That was more than any other country in the region.

The frequency of reported attacks dropped after a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran took effect in June. The agreement has since collapsed, but the UAE reported no attacks during that period, unlike some other Gulf states.

The renewed alert therefore comes at a sensitive time for Abu Dhabi, which has sought to avoid being drawn further into the widening confrontation while maintaining close security ties with Washington.

TEMPORARY US-IRAN DEAL COLLAPSES

The latest security warning was issued after the temporary US-Iran understanding expired. US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the agreement on June 17. It was intended to halt more than three months of fighting that had killed thousands and disrupted commercial shipping across the Gulf.

The agreement was also significant for global energy markets because the conflict had severely affected shipments of oil and gas through the region. However, it later broke down, with the two sides remaining at odds over the conditions needed to end the conflict permanently.

Trump said on Tuesday that the US and Iran were not currently communicating with each other.

An Iranian official, meanwhile, said Iran would move towards a more "offensive" military posture after the end of the temporary arrangement.

- Ends