The Defense Ministry of the United Arab Emirates said its air defense systems intercepted six ballistic missiles and 21 drones launched from Iran on March 16, 2026.
The ministry said the latest attack came as Iranian strikes against the UAE continued, and added that the country’s forces remain prepared to respond to any threat to state security.
Since what it described as “the blatant Iranian aggression,” the ministry said UAE air defenses have engaged 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,627 drones.
The ministry also said the attacks have killed two members of the armed forces while they were carrying out their duties. It said five civilians of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationalities were also killed.
A total of 145 people have been injured, the statement said, with wounds ranging from minor to severe. Those injured included nationals from a wide range of countries, including the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The defense ministry said it remains fully ready to confront any attempt to undermine the country’s security, sovereignty and stability, and to protect its national interests and capabilities.
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