DISTURBING photos show Dubai deserted as Iran’s explosive onslaught continues and authorities clamp down on people sharing images of destruction on social media.
Once packed with influencers and tourists, many of the city’s best-known hotspots now stand silent as Iran continues to bombard the UAE.
Dubai has been left deserted after a wave of Iranian attacks forced tourists and residents to flee the city
Once-packed hotspots now stand largely empty as air defence systems intercept incoming projectilesCredit: Unknown
Authorities say around 1,700 Iranian missiles and drones have been launched in the past two weeks
Large numbers of residents and visitors have fled the city, with some vowing never to return as the Islamic Republic presses ahead with its campaign of retaliation.
Dubai’s iconic skyscrapers and luxury five-star have been hit with debris from missiles and suicide .
Explosions rocked the city again on Friday as debris from intercepted drones tore chunks from buildings in the heart of the financial district.
At the centre of the desolation is Jumeirah Beach, within sight of the famous Palm archipelago.
Usually overflowing with holidaymakers, the stretch of sand now lies empty as many of Dubai’s 240,000 Britons make a desperate dash for the border.
It comes as…
- Four of in plane crash
- sparking flaming skyscrapers
- Brits in Special Forces base
- Iran has using £7.5k drone boats
- Brit troops firing so many missiles in
- Israel for slow response to war
Some beach clubs and restaurants have taken the bold decision to remain open, but their largely migrant workforce know that wealthy tourists from and the US are nowhere to be seen.
One cafe manager told The Daily Mail : “I’ve never seen it like this before and everyone is worried what the future holds.
“The spring break for schoolchildren starts today and there is hardly a western child to be seen anywhere – their parents have all taken them home.”
has been the target of around 1,700 Iranian projectiles in the past two weeks, though roughly 90 per cent have been destroyed by air defences now working close to their limits.
In a desperate attempt to calm citizens, authorities told residents the “big booms” in the sky are simply the “sound of us being safe” as the air defence systems intercept incoming attacks.
Amid the chaos, on Friday morning.
Officials later said the strike only caused minor damage and no casualties.
Earlier in the week, three huge explosions shook the city on Wednesday morning, with .
Four people were injured when two drones crashed into the terminal, prompting several major airlines to cancel flights to the region.
However, the official Dubai Media Office insisted that “no incident” had occurred as authorities intensified their crackdown on people sharing images and videos of the attacks.
British nationals in the UAE have now been .
The warning comes after a 60-year-old British tourist was charged under cyber-crime laws over alleged video showing missile strikes.
The man is accused of “broadcasting, publishing, republishing or circulating rumours or provocative propaganda that could disturb public security”, campaign group Detained in Dubai said.
The UAE's cryptic cyber-crime laws
THE UAE’s cyber-crime laws are among the strictest in the world.
People can face fines of up to £57,000, lengthy detention, and travel bans for social media posts that authorities consider harmful to “public order”, “national unity” or the reputation of the state.
Detained in Dubai warns that the legislation is “deliberately broad” – and in times of war they become even more dangerous.
Almost anything critical of government policy or regional conflict can be interpreted as a crime.
In practice, commentary about regional conflict, government policy or security matters can be interpreted as a criminal offence.
Sharing advice about what to do and what not to do in the country, the organisation said: “Do not assume your home country’s free speech protections apply in the UAE. They do not.
“Do not assume that sharing international news coverage is safe. It may not be.
“Do not assume that deleting a post removes liability. It often does not.”
On Friday the British Embassy posted on X: “UAE authorities warn against photographing, posting, or sharing images of incident sites or projectile damage as well as government buildings and diplomatic missions.
“British nationals are subject to UAE laws, violations may lead to fines, imprisonment, or deportation.”
Detained in Dubai said the tourist was one of 21 people charged under cyber-crime laws over videos and social media posts linked to the recent missile strikes.
The group said penalties in such cases can include up to two years in .
Iran’s attacks have also targeted US forces and their allies across the Gulf.
On Thursday, CENTCOM announced that a KC-135 refuelling plane had gone down in “friendly airspace” over Iraq.
while two remain unaccounted for.
Elsewhere, a major blaze appeared to erupt at a French air base in Erbil following a drone strike.
A helicopter was reportedly hit, injuring at least six French soldiers.
President confirmed on Friday morning that one of them had died.
The escalating conflict has also triggered turmoil in global as fuels fears of a worldwide recession.
The strategic shipping route normally carries around 20 per cent of the world’s supply each day.
Amid the mounting tensions, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s military command, warned: “, because the oil price depends on regional security which you have destabilised.”
The authorities tried to play down fears by saying the air defence systems are preventing most of Iran’s missiles
The UAE has also warned people not to share images of damage online
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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