Maldivians in UAE asked to stay indoors, avoid all non-essential travel

Maldivian citizens living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were asked to stay indoors and avoid all non-essential travel on Saturday, as the UAE became the target for retaliatory attacks by Iran following joint attacks on the country by the United States and Israel.

The US and Israel launched its attacks on Iran on Saturday morning, hitting a range of military and defense sites as well as civilian infrastructure in Tehran and other parts of the country.

Iran launched retaliatory strikes, with explosions reported in northern Israel as well as across multiple Gulf Arab states that host US military assets, including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE.

The UAE, in particular, hosts a sizable Maldivian population and is also a popular destination among Maldivian citizens for tourism and commerce.

At least one person – identified by UAE authorities as an individual of Asian nationality - was killed in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, after several missiles launched from Iran were intercepted.

In response to the situation, Maldivian ambassador to the UAE Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) urged everyone to stay safe.

“To all our residents. Please stay indoors today and avoid all non-essential travel and movement,” he said.

“Reports of major attacks throughout the region, including air strikes in UAE. I will keep all of you updated as and when we get verified reports. Stay safe please, everyone.”

The UAE Defense Ministry said in a statement that the security situation in the country is under control, and that all concerned parties are monitoring developments around the clock, and remain on high alert and readiness to deal with any threats.

"...taking all necessary measures to firmly counter everything that targets the disruption of the country's security and stability, adding that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors represents an utmost priority that cannot be compromised," reads the statement.