Explosions were heard across Dubai on Saturday following Iran’s strikes on US targets in the Middle East. Amid this, videos showing fire and smoke near Fairmont The Palm hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah surfaced.
Authorities confirmed that emergency teams have responded to an “incident” in a building in the Palm Jumeirah area but did not provide further details, including whether the building was the hotel.
It remains unclear whether the hotel was directly struck by a missile or if the fire was caused by debris from a missile intercepted by UAE defenses. The hotel has not confirmed any damage so far.
What’s happening in Dubai?
The United States and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday. Tehran responded with a wave of missiles and drones targeting Israel.
Iran also struck US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. As a precaution, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq closed their airspace.
Several loud explosions were heard over parts of Dubai on Saturday, according to local reports.
Flight operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) were suspended until further notice.
Emirates and flydubai, along with other carriers operating out of Dubai, have canceled all flights scheduled for February 28.
Emirates told Gulf News, “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai.”
“We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities,” it added.
Flydubai said, “This is a developing situation, which we are monitoring closely, and we are working with the relevant authorities while adjusting our flight schedule accordingly.”
The Defense Ministry of UAE stressed that the Iran strikes “constitutes a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, reserving its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its territories and citizens, ensuring the preservation of its sovereignty, security, and stability.”