Fresh explosions were heard across the Gulf cities of Dubai, Doha and Manama on Sunday morning as Iranian attacks continued in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks.
AFP journalists heard explosions in Dubai, Bahrain’s capital Manama and Qatar. There, an AFP correspondent saw thick black smoke rising on the horizon on a clear morning south of the city.
The new blasts came a day after Iran’s deadly attack on the United Arab Emirates’ capital Abu Dhabi, which also hit military bases and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf, except for intermediary Oman.
Iran’s attacks in the Gulf have raised fears of an escalation of conflict and rattled a region long seen as a haven of peace and security in the turbulent Middle East.
On Saturday, Iran fired 137 missiles and 209 drones into the territory across the UAE, sending fire and smoke into the landmarks The Palm and Burj Al Arab, the country’s Ministry of Defense said.
At least one person was killed and seven others were injured at Abu Dhabi’s airport in what officials at the facility called an “incident.” Dubai and Kuwait airports, the world’s busiest international airports, were also damaged.
Qatari authorities said Iran fired 65 missiles and 12 drones at the Gulf state, most of which were intercepted, but the salvo left eight people injured, one in critical condition.
Witnesses said smoke billowed from U.S. military bases in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain’s capital Manama, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, and also targeted bases in Kuwait, witnesses said.
In Manama, Iranian attacks hit residential buildings with drones and debris, and videos posted on social media showed smoke and fire coming from skyscrapers.
Saturday’s unprecedented barrage targeted not only Riyadh and eastern Saudi Arabia, but also Qatar’s al-Udeid base, the largest US military base in the region.
