DUBAI —Flights at Dubai International Airport have been temporarily suspended following a drone attack that resulted in a fire, authorities said early Monday. “Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the temporary suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff,” the emirate’s media office said on X. Traffic was temporarily halted on road and tunnel links with the airport, police said, while the Emirates airline suspended flights with Dubai. Some flights have been diverted to Al-Maktoum International Airport, and travelers were advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights. A fire, resulting from the drone impact to one of the fuel tanks in the vicinity ofthe airport, has been successfully contained, according to the Dubai media office . No injuries have been reported. Authorities did not say when they expected flights to resume, however. Monday’s incident is the third at the Dubai airport, one of the world’s busiest international travel hubs, since Iran began its attacks on Gulf nations on February 28, with strikes Tehran has said aim at the US presence in the region. The attack followed warnings by Iran for the evacuation of three major UAE ports, threatening for the first time a neighboring country’s non-US assets. Tehran accused the US of using “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to launch strikes on Kharg Island, home to the main terminal handling Iran’s oil exports, without providing evidence, as the war showed no signs of ending. The US-Israel war against Iran has thrown global aviation into turmoil, with flights canceled, rescheduled and rerouted, as most Middle East airspace stays shut over fears of missile and drone attacks, while the crisis sends fuel prices soaring. Kuwait’s National Guard reported early Monday the interception of two drones during the past 24 hours while Bahrain said it has destroyed 125 missiles and 212 since the Iranian attacks started. Qatar’s defense ministry said late Sunday a number of Iranian drones targeting the countries have been intercepted and destroyed. The ministry did not provide specific details. Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since February 28, with targets including US diplomatic missions and military bases but also key Gulf oil infrastructure as well as homes and offices. The United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, has faced the brunt of the attacks. But all Gulf Arab states have been affected, and all have condemned Iran. On March 11, two drones fell near the Dubai international airport, which suffered damaged on the first day of the conflict during an overnight Iranian attack across Gulf states. — AgenciesDUBAI —Flights at Dubai International Airport have been temporarily suspended following a drone attack that resulted in a fire, authorities said early Monday. “Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the temporary suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff,” the emirate’s media office said on X. Traffic was temporarily halted on road and tunnel links with the airport, police said, while the Emirates airline suspended flights with Dubai. Some flights have been diverted to Al-Maktoum International Airport, and travelers were advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights. A fire, resulting from the drone impact to one of the fuel tanks in the vicinity ofthe airport, has been successfully contained, according to the Dubai media office . No injuries have been reported. Authorities did not say when they expected flights to resume, however. Monday’s incident is the third at the Dubai airport, one of the world’s busiest international travel hubs, since Iran began its attacks on Gulf nations on February 28, with strikes Tehran has said aim at the US presence in the region. The attack followed warnings by Iran for the evacuation of three major UAE ports, threatening for the first time a neighboring country’s non-US assets. Tehran accused the US of using “ports, docks and hideouts” in the UAE to launch strikes on Kharg Island, home to the main terminal handling Iran’s oil exports, without providing evidence, as the war showed no signs of ending. The US-Israel war against Iran has thrown global aviation into turmoil, with flights canceled, rescheduled and rerouted, as most Middle East airspace stays shut over fears of missile and drone attacks, while the crisis sends fuel prices soaring. Kuwait’s National Guard reported early Monday the interception of two drones during the past 24 hours while Bahrain said it has destroyed 125 missiles and 212 since the Iranian attacks started. Qatar’s defense ministry said late Sunday a number of Iranian drones targeting the countries have been intercepted and destroyed. The ministry did not provide specific details. Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since February 28, with targets including US diplomatic missions and military bases but also key Gulf oil infrastructure as well as homes and offices. The United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, has faced the brunt of the attacks. But all Gulf Arab states have been affected, and all have condemned Iran. On March 11, two drones fell near the Dubai international airport, which suffered damaged on the first day of the conflict during an overnight Iranian attack across Gulf states. — Agencies
