A drone strike near Dubai International Airport ignited a fire at a fuel storage facility on March 16, forcing the temporary suspension of all flights at one of the world's busiest aviation hubs. The attack was part of a broader wave of Iranian strikes targeting Gulf states on the same day, with Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia all reporting interceptions of drones and missiles.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed that a drone struck a fuel tank in the vicinity of the airport. Civil defence teams were deployed and contained the fire, with authorities reporting no injuries from the incident. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority suspended all flights as a precautionary measure while emergency operations were underway.
Some flights scheduled to land at Dubai International Airport were diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport during the disruption. Emirates airline advised all passengers not to travel to the airport and announced the temporary suspension of all services. Limited operations resumed after 10:00 AM local time, with the airline cancelling a portion of that day's schedule.
The March 16 strike was the fourth drone-related incident at Dubai International Airport since Iran began targeting Gulf nations on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran. Previous incidents occurred on March 1, when a drone caused minor damage to concourse areas, and on March 11, when two drones struck near the airport and injured four people. Monday's attack on the fuel tank was the most serious of the four incidents.
Separately, a missile strike in Abu Dhabi killed a Palestinian national after hitting a vehicle in the Al Bahyah area, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. The UAE's Ministry of Defence has reported six deaths since the conflict began on February 28, including four civilians and two military personnel.
The broader Gulf region has faced significant pressure since the conflict began. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia all reported intercepting drones and missiles on March 16. Kuwait International Airport was also struck, with radar equipment damaged, according to Al Jazeera.
Iran has sought to justify its attacks on Gulf states by arguing that the presence of US military bases on their soil makes them legitimate targets. Gulf governments have rejected this justification. The UAE, which normalised relations with Israel in 2020, has faced the largest volume of strikes of any Gulf country. Iran has directed more than 1,800 missiles and drones at the UAE since February 28, according to Al Jazeera. Gulf Arab states collectively have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks across the region, according to the Times of Israel.
Dubai International Airport handles more than 90 million passengers annually and serves as a central connection point between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Repeated disruptions to operations have compounded the impact of the regional conflict on global aviation. Several major international carriers, including British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM, had already suspended flights to Dubai before March 16.
As of the morning of March 16, limited flight operations had resumed at Dubai International Airport following confirmation that the fire was contained and safety assessments were completed. Authorities continued monitoring the situation as Iranian attacks across the Gulf showed no sign of abating.
Yasir Rai
