Abu Dhabi, March 3 (WAM) – The UAE government held a media briefing on the latest developments and current situation, with representatives from the Ministries of Defense, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Economy and Tourism, and the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.

In detail, the Ministry of Defense presented the latest operational developments and the state's efforts to protect its national sovereignty and ensure the security of citizens and residents. It also extended sincere condolences to the families of martyrs and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, emphasizing that the UAE has never and will never accept any infringement on its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and that the state retains its full right to take all necessary measures to repel any aggression.

Brigadier General Pilot Abdulla Al Neyadi, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, affirmed during the briefing that the UAE is at the highest level of readiness, possessing defense and armament capabilities, including national industries, that enable it to defend its territory and protect its people, regardless of the duration of escalation in the region. The state has diverse, integrated, multi-layered air defense systems capable of effectively countering various aerial threats through long, medium, and short-range systems ensuring comprehensive coverage of airspace, and a sufficient strategic stockpile of munitions to sustain countermeasure operations against all types of aerial threats for extended periods, maintaining combat readiness to protect the state's security and sovereignty.

The Ministry of Defense stated that since the start of the Iranian attacks, the UAE air defenses have dealt with 186 ballistic missiles launched toward the country, destroying 172 missiles, while 13 fell into the sea and one landed on UAE territory. Additionally, 812 Iranian drones were detected, with 755 destroyed, while 57 fell within the country. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed. These caused some collateral damage, resulting in 3 deaths and 68 minor injuries, as well as minor to moderate material damage to a number of civilian properties.

It noted that the sounds heard in various areas of the country are the result of air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles and UAE fighter jets engaging drones and cruise missiles.

The Ministry of Defense confirmed that all injuries and minor damage resulted from the countermeasures, as air defense systems successfully engaged hostile targets in a timely manner, reducing the scale of damage and preventing greater loss of life and property. All necessary precautionary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of residents, in full coordination with all relevant authorities.

The Ministry of Defense emphasized during the briefing that the armed forces are monitoring field developments around the clock that may affect the state's security, airspace, territorial waters, or land. The armed forces have initiated effective and well-considered operational measures, including strengthening defensive deployment, raising combat readiness levels, and enhancing surveillance and early warning systems to ensure the highest levels of readiness to protect the homeland and preserve its sovereignty. This also includes enhancing integration among various military units within a unified command that ensures rapid response and precise execution against any potential threat.

The Ministry added: 'The armed forces reiterate their full readiness to confront all threats, regardless of their source or nature, and they will not be lenient or hesitate to take necessary deterrent measures to protect the nation's security and stability.'

The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces called on all citizens and residents in the country to strictly adhere to all instructions and directives issued by the competent authorities and to fully comply with the approved preventive guidelines without any negligence, thereby enhancing the state's general readiness, preserving community safety, and supporting measures taken to protect national security and maintain stability.

It stressed the importance of obtaining information exclusively from official sources and approved channels in the UAE, including statements from competent authorities and reliable national media outlets, warning against falling for rumors, spreading unconfirmed news, or republishing information from unknown sources, as this directly negatively impacts community security and public stability.

For her part, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, began her remarks by reassuring UAE citizens, residents, and visitors, affirming that the people of the UAE are safe and secure, under careful and trustworthy hands, and that life is proceeding normally despite the scale of challenges. The defense system is operating with high efficiency around the clock to protect everyone.

Her Excellency said: 'In recent days, the UAE, along with Gulf states and brotherly and friendly countries, has been subjected to a series of blatant Iranian attacks in the context of a dangerous and unprecedented regional escalation,' without taking into account the UAE's clear position, which it has repeatedly affirmed, not allowing the use of its territory for any military operation against Iran.

Her Excellency added: 'We thank all countries and international organizations that have expressed their solidarity, support, and backing for the UAE and its right to defend its sovereignty in accordance with customs, the UN Charter, and international law in the face of blatant aggressions.'

Her Excellency said: 'The UAE emphasizes that developments are being handled with a balanced strategic reading, far from emotional rhetoric... and demands that the Iranian side immediately cease its aggressions against the UAE and neighboring countries.'

Her Excellency added that while the UAE renews its call for restraint and prioritizing the language of serious and responsible dialogue and diplomatic solutions to overcome the current crisis, ensuring security, stability, and prosperity for the peoples of the region... it stresses its full and legitimate right to self-defense in response to these aggressions, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and ensure the security and safety of its territory, citizens, residents, and visitors.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi said: 'In the face of the flimsy pretexts and justifications put forward by Tehran, we must make things clear and clarify that the UAE and the rest of the Arab Gulf states have made intensive efforts to avoid military confrontation and de-escalate tensions, based on their firm belief that military solutions generate crises and serious consequences for the region.'