UAE sends nationwide alert as air defences respond; authorities say missile threats stayed outside country’s borders

The UAE activated its air defence systems early Sunday after detecting fresh missile and drone threats, prompting precautionary nationwide alerts.Authorities later confirmed that all identified threats remained outside the country’s borders and assured residents that the security situation was stable, Khaleej Times reported.The UAE Ministry of Defence (MoD) said air defence systems intercepted incoming missile and drone threats in the early hours of Sunday, with loud sounds heard across parts of the country linked to ongoing interception operations.In a public advisory, the ministry requested residents to stay calm, follow official safety instructions, and avoid approaching, touching or photographing any debris that may have fallen during the interceptions. People spotting suspected fragments were asked to immediately report them by calling 999.

NCEMA: Situation remains stable

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) later clarified that the missile threats detected on Sunday morning were outside UAE territory.In a statement, the authority said the country’s national systems remain at the highest level of readiness and are continuously monitoring the regional security situation.NCEMA added that precautionary alerts are issued proactively even when the likelihood of any direct impact is low, urging the public to rely only on official channels for verified updates.A follow-up nationwide mobile alert thanked residents for their cooperation during the emergency response and informed them that normal activities could resume.

First genuine emergency alert in over two months

Sunday’s warning marked the UAE’s first actual nationwide emergency alert since May 4, when air defence systems were also activated in response to aerial threats.Authorities noted that an alert sent on June 26 had been caused by a technical malfunction and was unrelated to any security incident.

Regional tensions spill across Gulf

The security alert came amid rising tensions in the Gulf, with Qatar and Bahrain also activating air defence systems and sounding air raid sirens following reports of missile and drone activity.The latest developments follow an escalation in the confrontation between the United States and Iran. According to reports, the US carried out another round of strikes after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps allegedly attacked a container vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.Iran, meanwhile, said it had closed the strategic waterway after firing what it described as a warning shot at a vessel travelling on an unauthorised route. It warned that any retaliation would trigger a “severe response.”US Central Command identified the affected ship as the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container vessel, saying it sustained significant engine-room damage and that one civilian crew member was reported missing.Reiterating that the situation remains under control, NCEMA said relevant agencies continue to monitor developments around the clock and will issue further updates if required.Officials advised residents not to circulate unverified information and to follow announcements issued through official government channels.