Breaking News:UAE war news LIVE: Over 19,000 flights cancelled in a week across Middle East airports; Etihad to partially resume ops– What Just Happened

UAE war news LIVE: A top US military officer said on Thursday The United States has sunk more than 30 Iranian ships during the ongoing war, while ballistic missile and drone attacks by Tehran’s forces are down substantially, Reuters reportted.

“We’re now up over 30 ships (sunk), and in just the last few hours, we hit an Iranian drone carrier ship, roughly the size of a World War II aircraft carrier. And as we speak, it’s on fire,” Reuters quoted Admiral Brad Cooper as saying at a news conference.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi war news LIVE: Heavy attacks were reported in Iranian capital Tehran on Friday after Israel said it was hitting “regime infrastructure” in a “new phase” of the war it launched with the United States against Iran.

As the conflict entered its seventh day, its regional repercussions continued — with Qatar saying it intercepted a drone targeting a US base, and Lebanon reporting the death toll from Israeli strikes had risen to 123.

US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said he would “have to be involved” in the appointment of Iran’s next leader after US-Israeli strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei when the conflict began on Saturday.

(via AFP)

Dubai, Abu Dhabi war news LIVE: Six people were injured in United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Abu Dhabi on Thursday by debris from an intercepted drone, its media office said, as the missile exchange involving US-Israel and Iran ripping through the Middle East region entered its sixth day.

The incident involving falling debris took place at two locations in the ICAD 2 area following the successful interception of a drone by air defences, the Abu Dhabi media office said. Read full report

Dubai news LIVE: Dubai Airport on Thursday reiterated that most flights remain suspended and urged travelers to not come to the airport unless contacted by airline.

“Please do not come to the airport unless your airline has confirmed your departure time. Guests without a confirmed flight may not be able to access the terminals,” Dubai Airport said in a post on X, asking passengers to contact their airline directly for the latest updates on your flight.

Dubai news LIVE: Over 19,000 flights have been cancelled across seven major Middle East airports, including UAE’s Dubai and Abu Dhabi. According to Flightradar24 data, March 1, 2 and 3 saw the most flight cancellations with the number standing at over 3,300 for each day.

The data includes flight cancellations of Dubai International Airport Dubai (UAE), Hamad International Airport (Doha, Qatar), Zayed International Airport (Abu Dhabi, UAE), Sharjah International Airport (Sharjah, UAE), Kuwait International Airport (Kuwait City, Kuwait), Bahrain International Airport (Manama, area Bahrain), and Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai, UAE)

Flight cancellations since Feb 28:

Feb 28: 1,400+ flights

Mar 1: 3,400+ flights

Mar 2: 3,400+ flights

Mar 3: 3,300+ flights

Mar 4: 3,200+ flights

Mar 5: 3,000+ flights

Mar 6: 1,300+ flights

7 day total: 19,000+ flights

Dubai news LIVE updates: Here’s a quick summary of what has happened in UAE in the last 24 hours and what is happening today:

Air defences activated: The UAE intercepted six ballistic missiles and 125 drones on March 5 as Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf states entered Day 6 of the conflict with the US and Israel.

Injuries reported in the UAE: Authorities said 94 UAE residents have been injured since the attacks began. Six people were hurt in Abu Dhabi on March 5 after drone debris fell in the city.

Flights gradually resuming: Emirates and Flydubai announced the resumption of flights with a reduced schedule, while Flynas said it would operate flights between Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Shipping crisis deepens: Multiple vessels with Indian crew have come under attack in Gulf waters. A Bahamas-flagged tanker with 10 Indian seafarers was targeted by an Iranian remote-controlled explosive boat near Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port, while another tanker off Kuwait suffered a major explosion.

Major shipping disruption: Around 200 ships remain anchored near Gulf ports and hundreds more are waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 20% of global oil and LNG supply.

Additional ships damaged near UAE: The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Libra Trader and Panama-flagged bulker Gold Oak sustained minor damage 7–10 nautical miles off Fujairah, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations.

Education disruption: The CBSE cancelled all remaining Class 10 board exams in the region and postponed Class 12 exams due to the escalating conflict.

Explosions across the region: Huge explosions were reported over Tehran and Doha, while Qatar evacuated residents living near the US embassy in Doha as tensions intensified.

A Bahamas-flagged crude oil tanker carrying 10 Indian crew members was targeted by an Iranian remote-controlled explosive boat while anchored near Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port, according to initial assessments. Authorities have not reported any casualties so far. The vessel, Sonangol Namibe, suffered hull damage but is reportedly losing water only from a ballast tank used to stabilise the ship.

Dubai news LIVE updates: Higher oil prices have sent jet fuel costs soaring, with Singapore jet fuel reaching a record high of $225 a barrel this week, which traders attributed to concerns about supply shortages from Middle Eastern refiners.

The price eased slightly on Thursday to about $195 a barrel after some profit-taking but remained nearly double that of last week.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The ongoing US-Iran war, which continues to escalate by the day, has driven oil prices higher across the world. Subsequently, jet fuel costs are also increasing, with Singapore jet fuel hitting a record high of $225 per barrel this week, Reuters reported.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: The United Arab Emirates is mulling freezing billions of dollars of Iranian assets in the Gulf state amid increasing airstrikes from Tehran in the wake of the US-Iran war, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.

If the UAE moves ahead with its decision, it could significantly limit Iran’s access to foreign currency and global trade networks.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: IndiGo is set to operate 17 flights to and from various parts of the Middle East, including Dubai, Jeddah, Sharjah, and Fujairah, on Friday, March 6, the airline stated.

The United Nation’s International Maritime Organisation told AFP on Thursday that around 20,000 seafarers and 15,000 cruise ship passengers are stuck in the Gulf because of the regional war.

The shipping regulator’s secretary general Arsenio Dominguez said the “IMO is ready to work with all stakeholders to help ensure the safety and well-being of the seafarers affected”.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Following reported missile and drone attacks over the Kuwait, the US State Department said that it had suspended operations at its embassy in the city amid the escalating Iranian strikes in the wake of the regional war against the US-Israeli strikes.

“While there have been no reported injuries to US personnel, the safety of Americans abroad remains the highest priority of the US Department of State,” it said.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, claimed that the US asked Ukraine for assistance in drone protection against Iranian strikes in the Middle East, adding that he had ordered expert support.

“We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against ‘shaheds’ in the Middle East region,” Zelensky wrote in a post on X. He added, “I gave instructions to provide the necessary means and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security.”

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Kuwait also reported the activation of air defences after several missiles and drones breached its airspace on Thursday evening. The Kuwaiti army stressed that the sounds heard in parts of the country are the result of the air defences intercepting incoming missiles and drones.

Dubai Abu Dhabi news LIVE: Etihad Airways said on Friday that it will resume limited commercial flights between March 6-19 to and from Abu Dhabi and key destinations including Cairo, Delhi, London, Frankfurt, New York, Paris, Moscow, Toronto and Zurich.