05.05.2026 02:51
As war concerns rise in the region following Iran's missile strikes in the Gulf, the UAE and Qatar have issued consecutive statements. Both countries have closed their airspace to traffic.
Iran's renewed missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries have pushed war concerns to their peak. Following the attacks, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which went on security alert, announced that they have closed their airspaces to flight traffic in order to protect civil aviation safety.
UAE PARTIALLY CLOSES AIR TRAFFIC
Information on the matter was provided in NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) number A1722/26, published by UAE aviation authorities. It was stated that the FIR line (Flight Information Region) belonging to Emirates airlines will be partially closed between May 4 and 11.
In line with the decision, it was stated that commercial flights will only be permitted through designated special transit points and via narrow corridors. Despite the restriction, it was noted that the Dafra Air Base used by the US will remain operational, but flights to the base will also be provided in a controlled manner through restricted routes.
QATAR ALSO DECIDES TO CLOSE AIRSPACE
A similar decision came from Qatar. Qatar announced that its airspace was closed following the attacks.
12 MISSILES FIRED AT UAE
Meanwhile, in a written statement from the UAE Ministry of Defense, information was given about the missiles and drones that were detected and intercepted in the country's airspace.
In the statement, it was reported that air defense systems intercepted 12 ballistic missiles fired from Iran, as well as 3 cruise missiles and 4 drones, and that as a result of these attacks, 3 people were moderately injured.
The statement said, "Since the first day Iran launched attacks on the UAE, the number of ballistic missiles intercepted has reached 549, cruise missiles 29, and drones 2,260."
It was stated that the number of injured in the UAE as a result of Iran-origin attacks reached 227, while the death toll was 13.
OIL FACILITY TARGETED
Fujairah Emirate announced that a fire broke out in the Fujairah Petroleum Industrial Zone, targeted by an Iran-origin drone attack, and 3 Indian nationals were injured.
The UAE Ministry of Defense stated, "4 cruise missiles approaching the country from Iran were detected. Three of them were successfully intercepted over the country's territorial waters, while one fell into the sea."
The Ministry of Interior also recently sent warning messages to mobile phones against possible missile threats to the country.
SWITCHED TO DISTANCE EDUCATION
Additionally, following the attacks allegedly originating from Iran against the country's territory, the United Arab Emirates decided that education in all higher education institutions would be conducted remotely for a period of 3 days.