The United Arab Emirates has officially disclosed the names of several individuals who lost their lives during a series of recent missile and drone attacks launched from Iran. Among the casualties are three Pakistani nationals, highlighting the multinational impact of these aggressive strikes. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the UAE’s air defence systems intercepted a significant number of incoming threats on March 17, including 10 ballistic missiles and 45 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), underscoring the intensity of the ongoing conflict.
Since the escalation began, UAE defence forces have been actively engaged in countering a barrage of hostile projectiles aimed at the country. To date, they have successfully intercepted 314 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and an overwhelming 1,672 UAVs. This sustained defensive effort reflects the high level of preparedness and resilience of the UAE’s military in safeguarding its territory and population from repeated attacks.
Tragically, the assaults have resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including two members of the UAE armed forces who were killed while carrying out their national duties. In addition to the military personnel, six expatriates from various countries also lost their lives. The deceased expatriates have been identified as Murib Zaman Nizar, Muzaffar Ali Ghulam, and Ismail Salim Khan from Pakistan; Alaa Nader Awni from Palestine; Ahmed Ali from Bangladesh; and Dibas Shrestha from Nepal. These losses have deeply affected the diverse expatriate communities residing in the UAE.
In a related development, the Ministry of Defence held a solemn military funeral on March 10 at Zayed Military Hospital to honor two UAE Armed Forces officers who died in a helicopter crash caused by a technical malfunction during a national duty mission. The fallen officers were Captain Pilot Saeed Rashid Hamad Al Balushi and First Lieutenant Ali Saleh Ismail Al Tunaiji. The ceremony was attended by senior military commanders, officers, and the families of the martyrs, reflecting the nation’s respect and gratitude for their sacrifice. The Ministry extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, praying for mercy on the departed souls and strength for their loved ones.
The human toll from these attacks extends beyond fatalities, with a total of 157 people sustaining injuries ranging from minor to critical. The injured include nationals from a wide array of countries such as the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Turkey, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden, and Tunisia. Medical teams continue to provide urgent care and treatment to those affected, highlighting the multinational dimension of the crisis.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, conveyed his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims. He also expressed solidarity with the governments and peoples of Palestine, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, whose citizens were among those killed. The minister wished a speedy and complete recovery to all those injured in the attacks, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to overcoming these challenges through unity and resilience.
