The UAE’s air defence systems intercepted a new wave of aerial threats on May 4, 2026, successfully engaging 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles, and four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to the Ministry of Defence.

The incident resulted in three moderate injuries, officials confirmed.

Read more-UAE successfully intercepts most of 1,100+ missiles, drones since Feb 28

In a statement, the ministry said the projectiles were launched from Iran, marking the latest escalation in a series of ongoing attacks targeting the country.

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Since the beginning of what officials described as “blatant Iranian attacks,” UAE air defences have intercepted a total of 549 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,260 UAVs, an Instagram post on the UAE’s Ministry of Defence official Instagram account said.

Authorities reported that the cumulative number of injuries has now reached 227, spanning a wide range of nationalities, reflecting the UAE’s diverse population.

Casualties and nationalities

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that three individuals have been killed, since the onset of the conflict including one Moroccan civilian contracted with the armed forces. In addition, 10 civilian fatalities have been recorded among several nationalities, including Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, Indian, and Egyptian.

“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats,” the statement said, adding that authorities will “firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country.” Officials stressed that all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard national sovereignty, stability, and strategic interests.

Two expatriates have been injured following an attack on a residential building in northern Oman, according to the Oman News Agency.

A security source said the building, which houses company employees in the Tibat area of the Wilayat of Bukha, was targeted in the incident.

The Wilayat of Bukha is located in the Musandam governorate, a strategic peninsula overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, which has been the centre of regional tensions amid the Iran war on Monday.

The attack resulted in what were described as moderate injuries to the two expatriates. Four vehicles were also damaged, while windows in a nearby house were shattered.

Authorities have not disclosed the nature of the attack or the identities of those injured.

Omani officials confirmed that an investigation is underway, with relevant authorities working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

They reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both citizens and residents, amid heightened regional tensions impacting parts of the Gulf.

The UAE Ministry of Education has announced the implementation of distance learning from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, until Friday, May 8, 2026, affecting students, teachers, and administrative staff across nurseries and all public and private schools nationwide.

“This measure is being taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the educational community,” the authority said, adding that the situation will be reviewed on Friday, May 8, 2026, with a possible extension if required, according to its official Instagram account.

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The temporary transition marks a coordinated national response aimed at maintaining educational continuity while prioritising safety across all school levels.

Universities also transition to remote learning

In a parallel move, the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on May 4 announced the temporary shift to remote learning across all higher education institutions in the country, effective from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, through Friday, May 8, 2026.

This measure is part of regulatory actions aimed at ensuring the continuity of the educational process with efficiency and flexibility, a WAM report said. Priority academic programmes that require clinical training, laboratory use, direct practical or field-based application, or in-person examinations are exempt; such programmes will continue with face-to-face instruction, as determined by the ministry.

Move comes weeks after return to in-person schooling

The decision comes shortly after schools across the UAE welcomed students back to classrooms on April 20, when in-person learning resumed following comprehensive readiness and safety planning.

Ahead of that reopening, the Ministry of Education completed specialised training for teaching and administrative staff to ensure a safe transition. Operational arrangements, including school transport services, were implemented under strict safety standards, while school buildings underwent rigorous safety evaluations. Detailed guidelines were also issued to support both academic readiness and psychological wellbeing among students and staff.

A fire broke out in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) on Monday following a drone strike originating from Iran, authorities in the emirate said.

In a statement, Fujairah’s Media Office confirmed that specialised teams were deployed immediately to contain the blaze after the incident.

Civil defence units “began dealing with the incident without delay and continue their efforts to bring it under control,” the statement said.

Subsequently, authorities further announced that three individuals of Indian nationality sustained moderate injuries amid the attacks.

The development comes amid the UAE issuing fresh missile alerts, for the first time amid the current ceasefire.

Authorities urged the public not to circulate unverified information and to rely solely on official sources for updates.

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The UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has issued a fresh public safety alert, warning of an active missile threat being intercepted by the country’s air defence systems, marking the second official advisory released on Monday following earlier ceasefire-related updates.

Read more: JUST IN: UAE air defences intercept fresh wave of missiles and drones on May 5

In a post published on X, NCEMA said: “Air defenses are now dealing with a missile threat. Please remain in a safe place and follow the warnings and updates on official websites.”

The alert signals an escalation in real-time security developments, with authorities urging residents and businesses across the UAE to stay indoors and rely exclusively on official communication channels for updates.

The latest advisory comes just hours after an earlier notification, UAE residents received on their phone, tied to ceasefire developments, underscoring the fluid nature of the regional security environment and its potential implications for public safety and operational continuity.

While no specific locations or impact zones were disclosed, the activation of air defence systems highlights heightened precautionary measures being undertaken at a national level.