The United Arab Emirates experienced fresh security incidents on Monday as drones targeted key transport and energy infrastructure, affecting both Fujairah, the country’s largest port and oil storage hub, and Dubai International Airport. Flights were temporarily suspended at the airport following a fire triggered by a “drone-related incident,” authorities said.
A separate drone strike hit Fujairah’s industrial zone, igniting a blaze at one of the largest oil storage facilities in the region. Oil loading operations were halted briefly while officials assessed damage. The port, situated on the UAE’s eastern coast along the Gulf of Oman, allows tankers to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, making it a crucial alternative route for global energy supplies.
“The port plays a crucial role in helping keep global supplies moving when the Strait of Hormuz is blocked,” said Justin Harper [“country”,”Iran”,”Middle Eastern country”], United States“] and Israel,” said Matt Stanley. Last week, UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh told the BBC that the country’s economy would “bounce back,” emphasizing that the UAE remains resilient in the face of ongoing conflict.
The attacks mark the third drone-related incident near Dubai International Airport since the start of the conflict, highlighting the continued risk to commercial and energy operations. As the UAE contends with repeated strikes, authorities are maintaining heightened security and emergency preparedness to mitigate further disruptions.
