Five days into the US-Israeli air campaign against Iran, follow the latest developments as they happen. Catch live updates here
Kuwait’s General Staff of the Army has announced that the armed forces are actively responding to a new wave of missiles and drones detected in Kuwaiti airspace, with interception operations currently under way.
The General Staff affirmed that the military remains on full alert and is prepared to counter all threats in order to protect the country’s territory and airspace and ensure the safety of citizens and residents.
Fujairah International Airport has partnered with Oman’s SalamAir to operate a series of charter flights as part of humanitarian efforts to assist travellers wishing to return to their home countries amid the current regional situation.
The flights, routed via Muscat, are scheduled for March 4 and 5, 2026 and will serve five international destinations: Calicut, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Istanbul, and Karachi. Bookings can be made through SalamAir’s official website or via authorised travel agents.
The airport said it has worked closely with airline partners, ground handling teams, and relevant authorities to ensure smooth operations and the highest standards of passenger care throughout the process.
Fujairah International Airport added that it will continue to coordinate with stakeholders to monitor travel needs and respond promptly to any further developments.
An eleven-year-old girl from a resident family in Kuwait has died after being struck by shrapnel that fell on a residential area in the Capital Governorate, Kuwait’s Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad announced in the early hours of Wednesday.
The child was given first aid at the scene before being transported by ambulance to the casualty ward of Amir Hospital, where she was pronounced dead approximately half an hour after arrival.
The Kuwait News Agency reported that four other members of the victim’s family are currently under medical observation at the same hospital.
The US government has encouraged American citizens in the UAE to consider leaving the country if they are able to do so safely, noting that some flights are currently departing from UAE international airports.
Land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia remain open, though congestion has been reported. Those who are unable or choose not to leave are advised to shelter in place at their residence or hotel, stay away from windows, and go out only when necessary to obtain essential supplies.
Americans not currently in the UAE are strongly advised to reconsider any plans to travel to or transit through the country. US citizens requiring assistance are asked to complete the Crisis Intake Form via the State Department’s website, submitting it only once.
The Department of State ordered non-emergency US government staff to leave the UAE on March 3, 2026. Both the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai are closed until further notice, with all consular and visa services suspended. Passport services will be arranged once security conditions allow. Citizens are asked not to approach either facility at this time.
In the event of an explosion or alert, those indoors should move to the lowest level of the building, away from windows and exterior walls.
Those outdoors should seek shelter in a solid structure immediately, or lie flat and protect their heads if no shelter is available. Falling debris from intercepted missiles or drones also poses a significant risk.
Americans are urged to keep their phones charged, travel documents accessible, and to stay in contact with family. Emergency numbers in the UAE are 997 for fire, 998 for ambulance, and 999 for police. The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi can be reached at +(971)(2) 414-2200, and the Consulate General in Dubai at +(971)(4) 309-4000.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, announced in the early hours of Wednesday that nine drones had been intercepted and destroyed upon entering the Kingdom’s airspace.
He added that two cruise missiles were also intercepted and destroyed over Al-Kharj Governorate.
The announcement was made via the Ministry of Defence’s official account on X.
Dubai Police has reminded the public that photographing or sharing images of security installations and critical infrastructure – even casually – can pose a risk to national security.
The force stressed that safeguarding such sites is a collective responsibility that contributes to the safety and security of the entire community.
Qatar Airways has announced that its flight operations remain temporarily suspended following the closure of Qatari airspace.
The airline stated that services will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority confirms that the airspace is safe to reopen, with a further update expected by 09:00 Doha time (06:00 UTC) on March 6.
Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information on the Qatar Airways website or mobile app.
Those currently in Doha or requiring booking assistance are directed to the airline’s official travel alerts page.
Passengers are also encouraged to ensure their contact details are up to date so the airline can reach them as needed.
Dubai-based developer Emaar has confirmed that all its communities, shopping malls, hospitality assets and development projects are continuing to function as normal, notwithstanding the rising geopolitical tensions across the region.
“The city continues to demonstrate resilience, supported by effective leadership,
sound regulation, and a dynamic business environment. Our focus remains on disciplined
execution, operational excellence, and delivering sustainable value for our shareholders and
customers,” Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar said in a statement.
The United States military has released the identities of four of the six American service personnel killed so far in the ongoing conflict with Iran, as the Trump administration cautioned that the escalating hostilities could result in further casualties.
The four soldiers, all members of an Iowa-based unit of the US Army Reserve, were killed on Sunday after a drone struck a US military facility at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait.
The four have been named as:
The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Al Budaiwi, has issued a strong condemnation of the Iranian attack on the Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement quoted by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al Budaiwi described the strike as a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a GCC member state and a serious escalation that endangers regional security and stability.
He stressed that targeting vital infrastructure and facilities is wholly unacceptable under any circumstances, and reflects an escalatory approach that flouts international law and the principles of good neighbourliness.
He further warned that such actions are designed to destabilise GCC states, disrupt global energy markets, and pose a direct threat to supply security, maritime navigation, and international trade.
Al Budaiwi called on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities by bringing Iran’s repeated attacks to an end and halting actions that undermine regional and international peace and security.
He reaffirmed the GCC’s unwavering solidarity with the UAE, expressing full support for all measures the country takes to protect its security, uphold its sovereignty, and safeguard its critical infrastructure.
Qatari authorities have dismantled two cells operating on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, resulting in the arrest of ten suspects, according to a statement by the Qatar News Agency.
Seven of those detained were tasked with gathering intelligence on the country’s vital and military infrastructure, whilst the remaining three were assigned to carry out sabotage operations and had received training in the use of drones.
Authorities recovered coordinates and location data relating to sensitive facilities, along with communication devices and other technical equipment.
During questioning, the suspects confessed to their connections with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and acknowledged that they had been directed to conduct espionage and subversion missions within Qatar.
The State Security apparatus has urged citizens and residents to remain alert and to report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
In response to regional tensions and the resulting impact on air travel, Etihad Rail – working under the direct supervision of Abu Dhabi’s Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre (ADCMC) – ran special services between Al Ghuwaifat Station in the Al Dhafra region and Al Faya Station in Abu Dhabi.
The services transported more than 350 passengers safely and efficiently, ahead of the railway’s official passenger launch, as part of a coordinated response to the temporary suspension of certain flights.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s authorities, ensuring procedural alignment and swift implementation to the highest safety standards, whilst freight services across the national network continued uninterrupted.
Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of ADCMC, said the operation demonstrated the national system’s ability to respond swiftly to regional developments, highlighting the strategic value of the UAE’s railway network and its operational readiness under challenging conditions.
He noted that activating passenger services ahead of their official launch reflected institutional flexibility and sound decision-making based on real-time risk assessments.
Eng. Mohammed Al Shehhi, Chief Projects Officer at Etihad Rail, said the company was proud to deliver these services in line with leadership directives to support the stability of UAE nationals and residents.
He added that additional services had been scheduled and that operations would continue in close coordination with the relevant authorities until normal flight schedules resume.
The operation underscored Abu Dhabi’s proactive crisis management approach, reinforcing confidence in the resilience and readiness of the UAE’s national infrastructure.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence has announced the successful interception of two ballistic missiles that were aimed at several areas within the country.
In a statement carried by the Qatar News Agency, the Ministry confirmed that both missiles were detected and neutralised immediately, in line with pre-approved operational plans, before reaching Qatari soil.
The Ministry affirmed that the armed forces have the full capability and resources to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to respond decisively to any external threat.
Citizens, residents, and visitors were urged to remain calm, follow guidance issued by the relevant security authorities, avoid spreading unverified information, and rely only on official sources.
Bahrain’s air defence systems have shot down 74 missiles and 92 Iranian drones since Saturday, according to a statement by the Bahrain Defence Force carried by the official state news agency.
The military confirmed that all its defence systems remain on full alert. It condemned the use of ballistic missiles and drones against civilian infrastructure as a clear breach of international humanitarian law, noting that such indiscriminate strikes undermine regional stability.
Residents have been advised to stay home and venture out only when absolutely necessary, taking all possible precautions for their safety.
The UAE has clarified that it has not adjusted its defensive posture despite enduring more than a thousand Iranian attacks – more than all other targeted nations combined – each of which was successfully neutralised by its armed forces.
The country stressed that it remains neutral in the conflict and has not allowed its territory, waters, or airspace to be used for strikes against Iran, in line with its policy of de-escalation and good neighbourly relations.
While affirming its right to self-defence under international law, the UAE also called on media outlets to exercise responsibility and verify information through official sources before publication.
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