Photo: Clash Report / Х
Dubai experienced what had long been considered impossible on Saturday, Feb. 28, when Iranian Shahed drones and ballistic missiles struck the city center, according to Bloomberg. Explosions were reported near major landmarks, including districts close to the world-famous skyscraper, turning what had seemed like a distant regional conflict into direct strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Drones over the city
Videos circulating online appear to show a drone slamming into a densely populated area just hundreds of meters from Burj Khalifa. Witnesses reported repeated blasts across central districts and in waterfront neighborhoods. Authorities ordered residents in several buildings to move to underground parking structures or basements for shelter.
Hotel strike on Palm Jumeirah
One of the most documented incidents was a direct hit on the five-star Fairmont The Palm, where a missile or debris from an interception ignited a fire on upper floors. At least four people were reported injured.
Airports shut down
Footage also showed a drone impact at Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the world. Panic reportedly spread inside terminals as smoke filled parts of the structure. Both it and Al Maktoum International Airport were closed indefinitely, with flights canceled or diverted, according to Reuters.
Attack on iconic hotel
The landmark Burj Al Arab was also struck by a drone, causing a facade fire from the first through sixth floors. The sail-shaped hotel stands on an artificial island and is one of the UAE’s most recognizable structures.
Three waves of strikes
Dubai reportedly endured at least three waves of missile-and-drone attacks during the day. The United Arab Emirates acknowledged that debris from intercepted missiles fell in residential areas of Abu Dhabi, killing one Pakistani civilian — the first confirmed fatality in the country.
Shops inside Dubai Mall closed, including a flagship store of Apple and boutiques belonging to fashion houses such as Givenchy. Restaurants in the Dubai International Financial Centre district asked customers to leave as panic buying began in supermarkets.
Authorities urged residents not to hoard supplies and warned that spreading unverified information could result in fines of up to 200,000 dirhams.
Regional escalation
The strikes coincided with Ramadan, when Dubai’s nightlife typically intensifies after evening prayers. Instead, air-defense interceptors lit the sky.
Earlier that morning, Israel had carried out strikes in Tehran and against targets linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran responded with missile launches toward Israel and an attack on a U.S. base in Bahrain. Explosions were also reported in Kuwait and Qatar, where American bases are located.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was ready for de-escalation and willing to negotiate after U.S. and Israeli strikes end. Meanwhile, several countries called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to address the crisis.
