UAE air defences engage 18 ballistic missiles, 47 drones on April 3

Since the war started, the UAE has recorded 12 fatalities including two members of the armed forces who lost their lives while performing their national duty

  • PUBLISHED: Fri 3 Apr 2026, 3:54 PM

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The UAE air defences on engaged 18 ballistic missiles, 4 cruise missiles, and 47 drones from Iran on April 3, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Since the start of the what the authorities called "blatant Iranian attacks", UAE air defences have engaged 475 ballistic missiles, 23 cruise missiles and 2085 UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle) or drones.

Since the war erupted on February 28, the UAE has recorded 12 fatalities including two members of the armed forces who lost their lives while performing their national duty, in addition to a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces.

The death toll also includes nine civilians of various nationalities, including Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, and Indian citizens.

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The Ministry also noted that a total of 203 people were injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe. The injured included 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 reaffirmed its full readiness to respond to any threats, emphasising its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, security, and stability, while protecting its national interests and capabilities.