A typical weekend in Dubai began with crowded beach clubs on Palm Jumeirah on the morning of 28/2. Along the coastal promenade, running groups gathered at the base of towers, filming their warm-ups before starting.

On Instagram, the city showcased clear blue skies, calm seas, and bustling shoppers inside Dubai Mall. However, across the Gulf, the region's largest conflict since the 2003 Iraq war was escalating sharply.

Tourists on bicycles observed a glowing object in the Dubai sky at dusk on 28/2. Photo: AP

While the US and Israel were launching missiles and the airspace of several Middle Eastern countries was closed, Dubai maintained its daily rhythm. For years, the city promoted itself as a sanctuary for capital and stability, separate from the political storms in neighboring nations. This image shattered at sunset.

As dusk fell, Iranian drones and missiles began approaching Gulf nations in retaliation. Air defense systems in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain activated in response. Interceptor missiles streaked brightly across the night sky.

Many tourists were surprised. There were no air raid sirens. While residents with local phone numbers began receiving alerts, others did not understand what was happening.

"At first, we thought they were fireworks," said Natalia Veremeenko, who was staying near Fairmont The Palm, a 5-star resort whose entrance caught fire after a drone attack.

Veremeenko initially thought the fire was an accident. Minutes later, the streets were bustling again. "They cleaned everything up very quickly," she said.

A public beach in Dubai on 1/3. Photo: AP

Crowds gathered as usual around the fountains outside Dubai Mall for the regular light show. But this atmosphere did not last.

Late that evening, fires and thick plumes of smoke rose at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports after drone debris struck these locations, killing one person and injuring about 10. Authorities later confirmed two more fatalities on 1/3.

Smoke rose from the Jebel Ali port area in Dubai, the world's 9th busiest port and the busiest in the Middle East, where a pier caught fire. The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel, one of Dubai's icons, experienced a fire due to falling drone debris.

It is currently unclear whether the attacks on UAE hotels and economic symbols were intentionally targeted by Iran, or merely unintended consequences while Tehran was targeting US military assets.

For the UAE, these attacks have tarnished the business-friendly reputation that Gulf nations spent years building. Most Dubai residents are expatriates. They live here for the city's safety guarantees and low tax policies.

As night fell, many luxury hotels moved guests from exposed rooms and open terraces to underground parking lots and internal corridors. This scene resembled those often seen in Ukraine, though still with Dubai's characteristic glitz.

"Emergency, but still fashionable," wrote a Russian lifestyle blogger, posting a photo wearing silk pajamas in a hotel basement.

Yekaterina, a Russian resident in Dubai, said she was initially "panicked" upon receiving a midnight message on her phone instructing her to seek shelter. In the parking lot, she heard rumors that the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, had been attacked. Although this news was later debunked, it captured the city residents' unease that night.

By the morning of 1/3, authorities quickly acted to allay concerns, reassuring residents and tourists that the situation was under control and promising to refund airfares for those affected.

The UAE's air defense system appeared effective. The UAE Ministry of Defense reported that 137 missiles and 209 drones were launched towards UAE territory, but most were intercepted.

"You can now return to normal. The UAE is 100% safe. Life and business continue as usual," UAE commentator Amjad Taha wrote on X.

Some Western key opinion leaders (KOLs) living in Dubai, who said they moved there to escape crime-ridden, high-tax European cities, quickly echoed this message.

"Greetings from a very relaxing dog walk in the best and safest city in the world," said Joule Sullivan, an Australian resident of Dubai, to her half a million Instagram followers. "Sorry to our haters. Dubai is still the greatest city in the world."

However, with Israel and Iran showing no signs of de-escalation and Tehran still possessing thousands of drones, it remains unclear how long this confidence will last.

Passengers stranded at Dubai International Airport awaited assistance on 1/3. Photo: AP

Airports remained closed, leaving tens of thousands of tourists stranded with no clear indication of when flights would resume. On the morning of 1/3, tourists in Dubai began receiving messages from authorities, urging them to stay put and await instructions. Some remained resolute and planned to continue their scheduled activities.

"I still plan to go to Dubai Mall for shopping today," Veremeenko said. "I hope all of this passes soon."

Hong Hanh (According to Guardian)