UAE says 16 missiles, 42 drones intercepted from Iran

The United Arab Emirates said air defense systems intercepted 16 ballistic missiles and 42 drones from Iran on Sunday.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry said that the country’s air defenses had shot down and destroyed 414 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,914 drones since the start of Iranian attacks on Feb. 28.

The ministry said the attacks resulted in the death of two soldiers, a Moroccan civilian contractor, and eight civilians of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, and Indian nationalities, while 178 other people were injured.

The US and Israel have maintained airstrikes on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala