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The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence has disclosed that the country’s air defence systems intercepted multiple aerial threats launched from Iran, as tensions continue to escalate in the region.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Saturday, the ministry said that “UAE air defence systems on 14th March engaged 9 ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran.”

The disclosure highlights the scale of the latest wave of attacks that the Gulf nation says it has had to repel in recent days.

According to the ministry, the interceptions form part of a broader pattern of hostilities since the beginning of what it described as “the onsets of the blatant Iranian aggression.”

It stated that its defence forces had repeatedly been forced to activate their air defence systems to neutralise incoming threats aimed at the country.

Providing a cumulative breakdown of the attacks so far, the ministry said that “since the onsets of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1600 UAVs launched from Iran.”

The figures suggest a sustained barrage of aerial projectiles and drones that authorities say have targeted the United Arab Emirates over time.

The ministry also confirmed that the attacks have resulted in casualties and injuries involving people from several nationalities living and working in the country.

According to the statement, “these attacks have resulted in 6 fatalities of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals.”

It further disclosed that a significant number of individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attacks.

The ministry said “141 minor to moderate injuries” had been recorded among residents and workers from a wide range of countries.

Those affected, the statement said, include nationals of the United Arab Emirates as well as individuals from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.

While giving the casualty details, the ministry did not specify the locations where the fatalities and injuries occurred or the specific incidents that led to them.

However, the statement suggested that the attacks involved multiple aerial threats over time.

Reaffirming the country’s defence posture, the ministry said the armed forces remain on high alert and prepared to respond to any further threats targeting the nation’s territory or security.

The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats,” the statement said.

It added that the military would “firmly confront any attempts to undermine State security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities.”

Authorities did not indicate whether additional defensive measures have been put in place following the latest interceptions, but reiterated their commitment to maintaining national security and protecting residents across the federation.

Recall that the government of Qatar sent another formal complaint to the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council over what it described as repeated military aggression by Iran against its territory.

In a statement released on Friday, Qatar foreign ministry said it had sent its eighth identical letter to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, and to the United States Permanent Representative to the UN and President of the Security Council for March, Michael Waltz.

According to the statement, the letter was submitted by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani.

The Qatari government said the communication was aimed at informing the UN about what it called “Iranian aggression” against its territory and to highlight the security implications for the region.

The letter described the incidents as serious violations of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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Residents of Tyungu Jam and Mbaav communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State were thrown into shock on Thursday when families of victims of a bandit attack were denied access to their bodies while preparing for a mass burial.
It was gathered that the families, who had gathered at the mortuary to retrieve the corpses, were stunned when the mortuary attendant was reportedly abducted.

Bandits had last Thursday invaded Tyungu Jam and Mbaav communities in Yaav and Mbadura Council wards of Kwande Local Government Area, killing several people and injuring many others.
The state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, in a statement issued through his media aide, Solomon Iorpev, described the killings as “senseless and barbaric” and urged security operatives to apprehend the attackers.
Some families who could not immediately bury their loved ones had fixed Thursday for the burial but were reportedly shocked on arrival at the morgue to collect the bodies.

Eleven victims of the bandit attack were scheduled for a mass burial on Thursday, attracting people and priests from within and outside the state.

However, some thugs were said to have invaded the hospital and abducted the mortuary attendant, preventing families from accessing the bodies for burial.
Condemning the disruption of the mass burial, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state described the incident as disgraceful.
In a statement issued by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun, the APC alleged that the disruption was sponsored.
The statement read in part: “We have received disturbing reports that sponsored thugs abducted a mortuary attendant, Mr. MT Tiga, and sealed his mortuary facility in a desperate attempt to prevent the people of Turan from carrying out a mass burial for the victims who were killed in Mbachoon, Yaav District of Turan in Kwande Local Government Area.
“This barbaric act is not only inhumane but also an assault on the fundamental right of a community to mourn and bury their dead with dignity. The people of Turan have every right to determine how they lay their loved ones to rest and to draw the attention of the world to the ongoing suffering and systematic killings being perpetrated against them by armed Fulani bandits.

It is deeply troubling that in the face of relentless attacks and loss of lives, the people are now being denied even the basic humanity of burying their dead. One must ask: can the people not even be allowed to bury their dead in peace?
“While we commiserate with the grieving families and the entire Turan community over this painful tragedy, we commend Mr. Alex Barbir, who travelled all the way from the United States of America to stand in solidarity with the people, witness the burial, and support efforts to bring the story of the Benue genocide to the international community, as well as assist in rebuilding homes destroyed by the attackers.”
The party also expressed appreciation to Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo of Plateau State, who was reported to have officiated at the mass burial, and appealed to the state government to immediately investigate “the abduction of the mortuary attendant, the sealing of the mortuary, and the harassment of the Turan community.”

Also condemning the incident, the President General of Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide and retired Comptroller General of Prisons, Iorbee Ihagh, described the situation as shameful.
Ihagh, who hails from Turan in Kwande LGA, said, “I don’t know why anybody should be against the burial of people who were victims of Fulani herdsmen.
“It’s very shameful because people came from far away, even outside the country. The mortuary attendant was not seen and the place was locked. The people wanted to force the place open but the priest advised them not to do that.”
When contacted, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Neji Terhile, said those mobilising for the mass burial did not take into account the volatile security situation in the area.
The chairman said that as at the time he spoke with journalists on Friday, he was on his way to the community with officials of Homeland Security and other government agencies.

The PUNCH

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Ex-Super Eagles iconic midfielder Henry Nwosu has passed at the age of 62, leaving the nation’s football community in mourning.

Nwosu, a key player in Nigeria’s 1980 Africa Cup of Nations’ triumph, died on Saturday morning at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving intensive care since Wednesday.

His death was announced by former teammate Segun Odegbami, who described Nwosu as the “Youngest Millionaire” and expressed deep pain over the loss.

Odegbami wrote: “After 5 days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 am this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos where he had been in Intensive Care since Wednesday.

“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON.

“May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”

Nwosu’s playing career spanned several notable clubs, including ASEC Mimosas, New Nigeria Bank FC, and African Continental Bank FC.

He also represented Nigeria in multiple AFCON tournaments and the 1980 Summer Olympics.

After retiring, Nwosu transitioned into coaching, leading Nigeria’s U-17 team and managing clubs like Ibom Stars and Gateway United.

His contributions to Nigerian football are immeasurable, and his legacy will be remembered for generations to come.