On Saturday, 28 February 2026, Dubai was engulfed in flames. As part of a broad Iranian retaliation for the morning strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, Tehran’s forces carried out a direct missile and drone attack on the United Arab Emirates. One of the main targets was Dubai International Airport (DXB) – the largest and busiest airport in the world.
According to confirmations from Dubai Airports and local media, Iranian missiles and drones broke through air defence systems and struck one of the passenger terminals (Terminal 3). A massive explosion occurred, triggering a fierce fire. Authorities confirmed that at least four airport staff members were injured. They received immediate medical assistance – their condition is described as stable, but the situation on the ground remains highly fluid.
The entire DXB airport and neighbouring Al Maktoum International (DWC) were immediately closed. All flights – both arrivals and departures – were suspended until further notice. Thousands of passengers are stranded in terminals, on aprons and in nearby hotels. Footage from surveillance cameras and phones shows thick smoke filling halls, burning structural elements and chaotic evacuation.
Dubai is also burning in other locations. A strong fire broke out at the luxury Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah – the famous artificial island. Huge clouds of black smoke are visible from many kilometres away. Earlier, after a series of missile alerts, the Burj Khalifa and the entire Dubai Marina district were evacuated.
The United Arab Emirates firmly condemned the attack as a „cowardly act of aggression against civilian targets”. The UAE Ministry of Defence stated that most of the missiles had been intercepted, but those that got through the defences caused real damage and casualties. „We reserve the full right to respond” – the statement emphasised.
This is the most serious direct attack on Dubai in the history of the modern Emirates. A city that only yesterday was a symbol of luxury and security has today become a front line in a new, rapidly spreading war in the Middle East. The situation remains extremely tense – air defence systems can still be heard at work in the sky, and residents and tourists have been advised to remain in shelters.
According to passenger accounts and unofficial reports, a Polish charter aircraft of the airline Enter Air is stuck on the apron of the closed Dubai International (DXB) airport. The Boeing 737, carrying a group of Polish tourists, was due to operate a return flight to Poland, but after the missile attack on the terminal and the complete halt of air traffic, the aircraft cannot take off. Several hundred Poles have already spent hours in the terminal or on board, with no information on when they can return home.
Breaking update:
An Iranian suicide drone attacked Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 1 person killed, 7 injured
