Explosion Near Dubai International Airport


An Emirates aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026. Flights were gradually resuming at Dubai airport on March 16, previously the world's busiest for international flights, the airport operator said, after a "drone-related incident" sparked a fuel tank fire nearby, as Iran kept up its Gulf attacks. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /
An Emirates aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /


A large fuel tank fire broke out “in the vicinity” of Dubai International Airport on Monday following “a drone-related incident.”

Flights were temporarily suspended due to the fire, which has since been extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the Dubai Media Office. Some flights were diverted to the nearby Al Maktoum International Airport, and some flights have since gradually resumed.

The California Post described it as the third attack on the airport, which is one of the busiest in the world, since the outbreak of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran.

On Monday, United Arab Emirate (UAE) air defense systems engaged six ballistic missiles and 21 drones launched from Iran, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence (MOD). In total, the MOD reports 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,637 drones engaged by air defenses since the conflict began.

The attacks have resulted in the deaths of seven individuals in the Gulf country, including two UAE service members. The UAE MOD also reported 145 people were injured, with wounds ranging from minor to severe.

“The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats,” the MOD posted to X on Monday.

Fujairah in the UAE was also struck on Monday, with a large fire and smoke plume seen rising from the site. Flames broke out in the oil industrial area of the port city after a drone strike, though no injuries were reported, according to the Fujairah Media Office. This follows previous attacks and fires in the area.

Smoke and flames rise from an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026. Smoke could be seen rising from the direction of a major UAE energy installation on March 14, in what appeared to be the latest strike targeting the Gulf's petroleum facilities hours after the US struck Iran's Kharg Island. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /
Smoke and flames rise from an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /

Over the weekend, Iran’s military warned people to stay away from port cities in the UAE, including Fujairah, claiming they were legitimate targets because of U.S. military presence, reported media outlets.

The Port of Fujairah, a key export hub for oil, is the only export route outside of the Strait of Hormuz in the UAE, according to The Washington Post.

 

Since the outbreak of Operation Epic Fury–the U.S.-led military campaign against Iran–traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely hindered due to Iranian aggression. This has been a major concern for world leaders, as roughly a fifth of the global oil and liquefied natural gas is transported through the strait.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Taylor Swift: 'White supremacy is repulsive. There is nothing worse'

Tulsi Gabbard says impeachment of Trump would be 'terribly divisive' for country

Dr. Vladimir Zelenko has now treated 699 coronavirus patients with 100% success

ORIGIN OF THE AKAN - Onyeji Nnaji

GARDEN OF EDEN FOUND IN WEST AFRICA - Onyeji Nnaji

Marine Charged for Facebook Comments Gets Hearing Date

EGYPTIANS LAMBAST NIGERIAN FOOTBALLERS OVER ‘FREQUENT’ PROTESTS

TYPES OF PREPOSITION - Onyeji Nnaji

THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF NSUKKA by Onyeji Nnaji