Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that an unmanned aircraft attacked the United States consulate in Dubai, though he emphasized that all American staff members are safe and no one was harmed in the incident.
The Secretary of State’s announcement came after Dubai officials released their own statement about the drone-related event that ignited a fire close to the American diplomatic facility. The Dubai Media Office posted on X: “Dubai authorities have confirmed that a fire resulting from a drone-related incident near the US Consulate has been successfully contained.”
First responders arrived at the location and put out the fire, according to local officials.
People living in the surrounding neighborhood reported to AFP that they heard a powerful blast. One eyewitness described seeing fire near the consulate building moments later. Undercover police officers moved civilians away from nearby roads, which authorities blocked off while security personnel established a protective barrier around the area.
This attack occurs during a period when Dubai and other cities throughout the Gulf region have experienced multiple aerial assaults since Saturday, following intensified American-Israeli military operations against Iran that prompted Iran to launch retaliatory missiles and drones throughout the area.
Authorities have not yet provided additional information regarding who operated the drone or how much damage may have occurred to surrounding structures.
During earlier phases of the conflict, Iranian unmanned aircraft were spotted flying over multiple sites within the United Arab Emirates. Government announcements and news reports documented fires and building damage in sections of Dubai and Abu Dhabi during late Saturday and early Sunday.
Social media footage appeared to capture flames close to the Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah, fire burning along the outside of the Burj Al Arab, and smoke billowing near the Burj Khalifa area.
The Dubai Media Office stated that falling wreckage at Jebel Ali Port started a fire. Officials also confirmed damage occurred at Dubai International Airport, where four workers sustained injuries. Reports indicate that a drone hit Terminal 3, leading to an evacuation, while another strike early Sunday created heavy smoke that rose above the city.
In Abu Dhabi, authorities reported that Zayed International Airport was struck. The attacks in that city resulted in one death and left four others with severe injuries.
