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4 civilians killed in Iranian attack on UAE: What we know about the victims
The victims were resident expatriates from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh who supported families back home
- PUBLISHED: Wed 11 Mar 2026, 5:00 AM UPDATED: Wed 11 Mar 2026, 8:06 AM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
Four residents have been killed and more than 100 others injured in the UAE since February 28 after Iranian missile and drone attacks sent debris falling across parts of the country, highlighting the civilian toll of a war the UAE says it is not a party to.
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Authorities have repeatedly stressed that the UAE has not permitted the use of its territory, territorial waters or airspace for any attack against Iran, maintaining that it remains outside the conflict even as its cities and infrastructure have come under fire.
The casualties also reflect the country’s deeply multinational society, where more than 200 nationalities live and work side by side. Among those killed were residents from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, men who had come to the UAE to earn a livelihood and support families back home.
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The deaths occurred amid a wave of aerial attacks that authorities say have involved hundreds of ballistic missiles and nearly 1,500 drones, most of which were intercepted by the country’s air defence systems. Despite the high interception rate, debris from interceptions and missiles that reached the ground caused deaths and injuries, underscoring the risks posed to civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Here is what we know about the residents who lost their lives:
Murib Zaman, Pakistani: February 28
The first fatality reported following the attacks was Murib Zaman, a Pakistani national from Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to Dawn.
Zaman had been working in Abu Dhabi for nearly eight years, earning a livelihood through labour work and driving. He had been supporting his family back home.
The UAE offered its sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family and relatives of the Pakistani victim who died as a result of the Iranian attacks, stressing that targeting civilians and civilian objects is condemned and rejected by all legal and humanitarian standards.
Saleh Ahmed, Bangladeshi: February 28
Also on February 28, a 55-year-old Bangladeshi resident, identified by Bangladeshi media as Saleh Ahmed, was killed in Ajman.
According to Sky News, Ahmed was delivering drinking water when he was struck by debris after an Iranian missile attack.
His son, Abdul Haque, told Sky News that Ahmed was a hard-working man and the family’s sole breadwinner.
Ahmed had lived in the UAE for 25 years. With the money he sent home, the family had begun building a house.
Dibas Shrestha, Nepali: March 1
On March 1, debris from the interception of a drone targeting Zayed International Airport led to the death of a 29-year-old Nepali national.
According to Abu Dhabi Airports, authorities dealt with the incident that also caused seven injuries.
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was shocked and saddened to learn about the death of the Nepali citizen in the attack.
The Kathmandu Post identified the victim as Dibas Shrestha, who had travelled to the UAE around a year and a half earlier to work as a security guard.
He had recently told his family during a video call that he planned to return to Nepal within two to three months. Relatives described him as cheerful and sociable, saying he was “humorous and friendly with everyone”.
Pakistani driver killed in Dubai: March 7
The most recent fatality occurred on March 7, when debris from an aerial interception fell onto a vehicle in the Al Barsha area of Dubai.
According to the Dubai Media Office, authorities confirmed that debris from the interception fell onto the vehicle, resulting in the death of a Pakistani driver.
The Pakistan Embassy later confirmed that one of its nationals had lost his life following the incident.
The embassy said its Consulate General in Dubai is in direct contact with local authorities to assist the family and facilitate the repatriation process as quickly as possible, adding that it shared in the family’s grief.
As Associate Editor, Sahim Salim helps tell the UAE story like no one else does — and leads a team of reporters that asks the questions to get news and headlines that matter.