UAE intercepts 4 ballistic missiles, 26 drones on Friday

UAE air defences have intercepted 4 ballistic missiles and 26 drones launched from Iran on Friday, an update from the Ministry of Defence confirmed.

Since the start of Iran's attacks, UAE air defences have dealt with 338 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,740 drones.

الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية تتعامل مع الصواريخ الباليستية والجوالة والمسيرات الإيرانية.

UAE Air Defences engaged Iranian
Ballistic and Cruise Missiles and UAVs Attacks#وزارة_الدفاع #وزارة_الدفاع_الإماراتية#MOD#UAEMinistryOfDefence pic.twitter.com/LTXSIgfSld

— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 20, 2026

Eight people have died in the attacks so far, including two members of the armed forces and six civilians of Pakistani, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, and Palestinian nationalities.

Additionally, 158 people have been injured. These include nationals of 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, Sweden and Tunisia.

The Ministry of Defence affirmed it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats, and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities.