The United Arab Emirates announced that its air defense systems intercepted multiple Iranian aerial threats on March 8, 2026, including 16 ballistic missiles and 113 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, 17 ballistic missiles were detected, with 16 successfully intercepted and destroyed, while one missile fell into the sea.
Air defense units also tracked 117 drones, intercepting 113 UAVs, while four drones landed inside UAE territory.
Since the start of the Iranian attacks, the UAE reported detecting 238 ballistic missiles, of which 221 were intercepted, 15 fell into the sea, and two landed inside the country.
In addition, 1,422 Iranian drones have been detected, with 1,342 intercepted and 80 drones falling within UAE territory. Air defense systems also detected and destroyed eight cruise missiles.
Authorities confirmed four deaths among foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, while 112 people were injured with minor or moderate injuries.
