'Unreal': Reaction from Dubai as emirate drawn into Middle East conflict

The editorial director of Travel Weekly’s Dubai-based sister title Connecting Travel described the “unreal” situation developing over the weekend as the emirate responded to retaliatory strikes from Iran.

The United Arab Emirates was one of the Gulf states which were subject to updated Foreign Office on Saturday, with British nationals urged to shelter in place there and in Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait following strikes by the US and Israel against Iran.

Sarah Hedley Hymers said action from UAE authorities had been swift but the escalation of attacks had created a situation which seemed "unreal".

She said on Saturday: "The authorities have a firm grip on events. Alerts were issued by embassies as soon as the strikes began and were quickly shared by communities in the UAE.

"Alerts advised us to shelter at home and stay away from the windows. Many residents and holidaymakers were enjoying a sunny day at the beach when the strikes first started. UAE defences intercepted the strikes, but their impact could be seen in the sky above and explosions could be heard.

"Many people then returned to their homes and accommodation, but others felt safe enough to stay out. Supermarkets were busy with people stocking up on goods."

She added: "When the attacks increased later in the day, it seemed unreal, a bit like being in a computer game as the missiles were shot down.

"Now, as midnight approaches, the skies appear less active. We’re following the news and waiting to see what will happen next, and we’ve packed an ’escape bag’ of essentials — money, passport, water — just in case."

In an update on Sunday morning, she said residents had received an emergency alert on their mobile phones in the early hours advising them to take immediate shelter and stay away from windows, doors and open areas due to the ongoing threat of missile strikes.

Transport and hospitality infrastructure continued to be directly affected, with the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel hit by debris from an intercepted drone and four people injured at Dubai International Airport. On Saturday a fire broke out at the Fairmont the Palm hotel after it was hit.

Constant Travel agent Louise Griggs, who is currently in Dubai on a fam trip, posted on Instagram: “What a night. Never experienced anything like it.

“We can’t leave the hotel or travel anywhere. We are looking to extend our stay at the current hotel as we were meant to be moving to the Atlantis today but we can’t go outside.”    

She added that Gold Medal has her as a priority to get home ASAP “but that won’t be until any kind of airspace opens, which isn’t looking anytime soon”.

Griggs said: “It doesn’t feel safe here at all but I’m as safe as I can be indoors.”