Full Analysis Summary
Dubai amid Gulf attacks
The weekend in Dubai began normally, with beach clubs full on Palm Jumeirah and tourists posting blue skies and shopping at the Dubai Mall.
This occurred even as "the largest regional war since the 2003 invasion of Iraq was intensifying" across the Gulf.
Shortly after dusk, Iranian drones and missiles approached the Gulf states.
Air defences in the United Arab Emirates, as well as in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, activated and launched interceptors.
While US and Israeli missiles were being launched and airspace was being closed across parts of the Middle East, Dubai initially maintained its routine until the attacks reached the emirates.
UAE drone and missile strikes
Local authorities reported fires and thick plumes of smoke after drone debris struck Dubai’s and Abu Dhabi’s airports.
They said the strikes killed one person and injured about a dozen others, and that two further deaths were announced on Sunday.
The Fairmont The Palm’s entrance caught fire after what appeared to be a drone strike.
A berth at Jebel Ali port caught fire.
Debris from falling drones struck the Burj Al Arab, prompting a brief fire.
The UAE defence ministry said 137 missiles and 209 drones had been fired towards UAE territory and that the majority had been intercepted by its air defence systems.
The article says it remains unclear whether Iran was directly targeting hotels and other UAE landmarks rather than the US military facilities it had vowed to strike.
UAE warnings and disruption
Residents and tourists described confusion and uneven warnings, with some people who had local phone numbers receiving official alerts while others did not.
There were no air raid sirens, which led some to believe the early explosions were fireworks.
Hotels moved guests from exposed rooms and terraces into underground car parks and service corridors.
A Russian lifestyle blogger posted, "A state of emergency, but make it fashion."
Residents reported panic after midnight alerts to shelter, and rumours that the Burj Khalifa had been hit later proved false.
Authorities reassured the public, pledged flight reimbursements and urged calm.
Amjad Taha wrote on X, "You can return to normal now. The UAE is 100% safe. Life and business continue as normal."
Airports remained closed, leaving tens of thousands of tourists stranded and receiving messages on Sunday urging them to stay indoors.
Some visitors, such as Natalia Veremeenko, said they remained hopeful and planned to continue shopping, saying, "I hope this will all blow over soon."