Ministry of Defence reveals staggering toll since January: 357 ballistic missiles, 1,815 UAVs intercepted as air defences engage new wave of Iranian aggression.
ABU DHABI – The UAE’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that three military personnel and six civilians were martyred following an engagement with nine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran on March 25, 2026.
The latest attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation, with officials providing a stark update on the cumulative scale of the Iranian aggression. Since the initial onset of hostilities earlier this year, UAE air defence systems have successfully intercepted a total of 357 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,815 UAVs.
In a statement released following the March 25 incident, authorities identified the civilian fatalities as nationals of Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Palestine. They were among a broader group of 166 injured individuals, who hail from a diverse range of countries including Egypt, India, the Philippines, Iran, Türkiye, and the United States, among others. Injuries sustained range from minor to severe.
The Ministry of Defence affirmed the nation’s high state of readiness, vowing to confront any threats to state security with resolve.
“The armed forces remain fully prepared to deal with any threats,” the ministry stated. “We will firmly confront any attempts to undermine the State’s security to ensure the protection of its sovereignty, stability, and national interests.”
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