Dubai, Abu Dhabi Iran War Highlights: Debris falls on building in central Dubai after interception, authorities report no injuries

Palestinian Muslim worshippers in Jerusalem observed prayers on the last Friday of Ramadan despite restrictions and regional tensions. With limits on large gatherings at the Al-Aqsa compound — also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, many worshippers prayed along roadsides and in open spaces such as playgrounds to observe the holy rituals.

Oman Air said it will operate additional flights to and from Muscat between March 16 and 22. The extra services will cover several destinations, including London Heathrow, Cairo, Rome, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok and Salalah.

Online lessons will continue at Middlesex University Dubai, the institution announced. Following the spring break, online classes will run from Monday, March 23, to Sunday, April 5. Students have been urged to attend their scheduled classes virtually and monitor their student email and the university website for further updates.

Qatar Airways has continued operating cargo flights into Doha since the closure of Qatari airspace on February 28, making more than 200 tonnes of cargo capacity available daily. Flights are operating from several international hubs across Africa, Asia and Europe.

Operations are being carried out through temporary corridors authorised by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, allowing cargo services to continue despite restricted airspace.

To support deliveries, Qatar Airways has redirected part of its fleet of 30 Boeing 777 freighters, prioritising the transport of essential goods across the country.

The airline said it has transported nearly 300 tonnes of essential cargo into Qatar, including pharmaceutical medicines, baby formula, fresh food such as meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, as well as medical equipment and other key food products.

Pharmaceuticals and fresh produce are being transported under temperature-controlled conditions throughout the journey to Doha. Qatar Airways said it will continue adjusting cargo operations as needed to support supply chains into the country.

Mid-term exams for the second semester for grades 1 to 11 will now take place from April 12 to April 21, 2026, Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced on X.

The Philippine government has chartered a special flight to repatriate more than 450 Filipinos today, March 13. They are set to depart from Fujairah International Airport aboard TerraAvia flight TVR 4731.

Kuwait has condemned Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, describing them as a “flagrant violation” of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to deter Israeli authorities from repeated attacks on Lebanese territory and stressed the need to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial unity, and relevant international resolutions.

A security source confirmed that two drones were downed in Oman’s Suhar Governorate, the Oman News Agency reported. One drone crashed in the Al Awahi Industrial Area, killing two expatriates and injuring several others, while the second fell in an open area with no casualties. Authorities said investigations are ongoing and urged citizens and residents to avoid sharing photos or rumours and rely only on official sources for information.

Qatar has advised residents to refrain from filming or sharing footage from accident scenes or field response operations. The Ministry of Interior said posting or reposting unverified images or videos on social media could lead to legal accountability.

Dubai authorities reported a 'minor incident' involving falling debris from a successful interception, which struck the facade of a building in central Dubai.

No injuries were reported, the emirate's media office said on Friday.

The UAE government has warned against the spread of misleading content and inaccurate news across digital platforms. Attorney General Khalid Al Madhani, in an interview with Khaleej Times, stressed that information is a responsibility and spreading rumours is a crime.

Stock markets in the United Arab Emirates fell in early trade on Friday as Iran's continued attacks on multiple targets across the Middle East heightened fears of a prolonged regional conflict and unsettled investor sentiment. Investor caution intensified as the war in the Middle East approached the two-week ⁠mark, ​with heavy exchanges of drone and missile strikes across the region.

A building at the Dubai International Financial Centre sustained damage Friday after what authorities described as a “successful interception.” DIFC is an economic free zone for banks, capital traders and wealth managers, home to exclusive restaurants and nightclubs for the city-state’s elite.

The building, known as the DIFC Innovation Hub, bore fire damage on Friday morning, with pieces of its facade torn away.

The Dubai Media Office earlier described the incident as “a successful interception.” It did not elaborate on what had been intercepted, nor did it acknowledge the damage done to DIFC.

According to the state news agency of Oman, two people have been killed by drone debris. The drone reportedly came down in the al-Awahi industrial area, causing injuries in addition to the two deaths of expat workers. Another drone was downed in Sohar province.

The UN refugee agency says up to 3.2 million people in Iran have been displaced, and authorities in Lebanon say 800,000 have been forced from their homes as Israel’s military destroys buildings linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. More than 600 have been killed in Lebanon, as well as more than 1,300 in Iran and a dozen in Israel.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said early Friday that its air defenses downed 10 more drones headed toward the kingdom’s Eastern and Central Provinces, bringing the total to nearly 50 drones entering Saudi airspace over the span of a few hours.The barrage represents a higher-than-usual number of aerial threats for the kingdom, which has seen sites including the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, oil infrastructure, and a military base hosting U.S. troops targeted as the war involving Iran has intensified.

According to the Saudi Defence Ministry, a drone was shot down while attempting to approach the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. Air defences in the country have shot down dozens of drones over the past few hours.

"Earlier, two ballistic missiles heading toward Türkiye were intercepted by Nato air defences. The Turkish national defence ministry said Monday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran into Turkish airspace was neutralised by Nato air and missile defence assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean. The ministry added that debris from the missile fell on vacant land in the southeastern Gaziantep province, noting that there were no casualties or injuries," the official Anadolu news agency said.

"We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time - Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today. They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What a great honor it is to do so!" he wrote on Truth Social.

According to an AP update, a fire broke out in a cul-de-sac within the Al Quoz neighbourhood on Friday morning. Bystanders have reportedly gathered to watch the smoke from the blaze. But authorities have stopped people from getting closer to the site.

"Authorities confirm that debris from a successful interception caused a minor incident on the façade of a building in central Dubai. No injuries have been reported," the Dubai media office wrote on X.

It did not confirm the exact location or share additional details.

According to an AFP update, blasts have been heard and smoke seen over central Dubai. The explosions reportedly rattled buildings --- with one correspondent hearing a huge blast and feeling a building shake in the financial hub.

Social media users have also flagged the massive blasts but details remain scarce.

According to details shared by the Saudi Defence Ministry, the country has shot down more than a dozen drones over the past two hours. A spokesperson confirmed that air defences have intercepted four more drones over its eastern and central regions. This comes after earlier reports indicated the country shot down 12 drones within an hour.

According to an AFP update, blasts have been heard and smoke seen over central Dubai.

Further details awaited.

The United States has allowed countries to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea in a temporary move aimed at easing pressure in global energy markets following disruptions caused by the West Asia crisis. According to Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary, the decision is part of efforts by the administration of Donald Trump to stabilise global oil markets and contain rising fuel prices.

Unverified reports suggest that a drone has struck the Lanaz Oil Refinery in Iraqi Kurdistan. Videos circulating online indicate massive fire damage and there are claims that the surrounding area is now being cleared. No official confirmation has come.

CNN reported on Thursday that senior Trump administration officials told lawmakers in recent classified briefings that they did not plan for the possibility of Iran closing the Strait in response to strikes by the US and Israel.

“Planning around preventing this exact scenario…has been a bedrock principle of US national security policy for decades. I’m dumbfounded,” a former US official who served in Republican and Democratic administrations told CNN.

Qatar lashed out at Israeli media on Thursday following claims that it had stopped its LNG production to affect energy prices in the US. A top official told Al Jazeera that such accusations were an attempt to “drive a wedge” between Qatar and the US.

“Qatar will always prioritise people’s safety over political or economic gain. It is no surprise that unofficial mouthpieces of [Israeli] Prime Minister Netanyahu are attempting to exploit this period of global instability to sow further tension and division across the region," the official told Al Jazeera.

https://twitter.com/M9USA_/status/2032275143830233193

According to an update shareby the Defence Ministry of Saudi Arabia, the country has intercepted and shot down 10 drones over the eastern region during the past hour.

President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that one French soldier had been killed and several others wounded during an attack in Iraqi Kurdistan.

“Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Alpine Chasseurs Battalion in Varces died for France during an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq... This attack against our forces, engaged in the fight against ISIS since 2015, is unacceptable ,” Macron said in a post on X.