Air defences counter missile and drone attack on Sunday afternoon

UAE's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it was responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran on Sunday afternoon.

An alert was issued at 2.54 pm, advising residents to remain in a safe location.

The MoD said the sounds heard were the result of air defence systems successfully intercepting the threats.  Authorities reminded the public to only follow official channels for warnings and updates.

The afternoon alert, the second of the day, followed a previous warning issued at 6.47 am.

تتعامل حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية مع اعتداءات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة قادمة من إيران وتؤكد وزارة الدفاع أن الأصوات المسموعة في مناطق متفرقة من الدولة هي نتيجة اعتراض كل من منظومات الدفاع الجوي للصواريخ البالستية، والمقاتلات للطائرات المسيرة والجوالة.

UAE air defences are… pic.twitter.com/iNohPBfj39

— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 22, 2026

The afternoon alert, the second of the day, followed a previous warning issued at 6.47 am.

Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates. pic.twitter.com/TQSRFmOGt1

— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 22, 2026