Nigerian Among 141 Injured as Iran Fires Missiles at UAE; US Embassy in Baghdad Also Targeted

A Nigerian is among 141 people injured after Iran launched several missiles and drones toward the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as tensions escalate across the Middle East.

Officials confirmed that six people were killed in the attacks, while UAE air defence systems intercepted multiple aerial threats.

The UAE Ministry of Defence revealed this in a statement posted on its official X account on Saturday.

The ministry stated:

“UAE air defence systems on 14th March engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran.”

It added that the interceptions are part of a growing pattern of attacks that began with what it described as “the onset of blatant Iranian aggression.”

According to the ministry, the UAE’s air defence systems have intercepted large numbers of incoming threats since the escalation began.

“Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1600 UAVs launched from Iran.”

Many nationalities affected

Authorities said the attacks caused injuries to residents and workers from several countries living in the UAE.

Among the injured were nationals from Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden, as well as Emirati citizens.

The defence ministry confirmed:

“These attacks have resulted in six fatalities of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals. 141 minor to moderate injuries had been recorded among residents and workers from a wide range of countries.”

However, officials did not specify the exact sites of the attacks where the casualties occurred.

Military response

The UAE government stressed that its armed forces remain on high alert and ready to respond to threats.

The ministry said the military would confront “any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability.”

Regional tensions deepen

As the conflict escalates, Qatar has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations and the UN Security Council, accusing Iran of repeated aggression against its territory.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the country submitted its eighth complaint through its UN representative, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the Security Council presidency.

US and allies move to protect key oil route

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced that several countries will deploy naval forces alongside the United States to secure the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.

Trump wrote on Truth Social:

“Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships… to keep the Strait open and safe.”

Missile hits US Embassy in Iraq

Separately, a missile struck the US Embassy in Baghdad, causing smoke to rise from the building.

An Iraqi security source said the blast damaged part of the embassy’s air defence system.

Security officials told The Associated Press that the projectile hit a helipad inside the embassy compound in the heavily fortified Green Zone.

Shortly after the incident, the US Embassy advised American citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately.

“US citizens choosing to remain in Iraq are strongly encouraged to reconsider, in light of the significant threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist groups,” the embassy warned.

The embassy also maintained its Level 4 security alert, noting that Iran-aligned groups have previously carried out attacks on US citizens and infrastructure and “may continue to target them.”

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