DUBAI: Two people were killed in Oman on Friday and a building in central Dubai was damaged by falling debris as Iran continued its attacks against Arab Gulf countries.
A drone crashed into Al-Awhi Industrial Zone in Sohar, killing two expatriate workers and injuring several others, Oman News Agency reported.
A second came down in an open area near the city with no casualties reported.
Oman, which was mediating talks days before the US and Israel attacked Iran, has suffered several drone and missile attacks, including on key ports.
In Saudi Arabia, air defenses downed a hostile drone during an attempt to approach the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, while at least seven drones were intercepted and destroyed in Al-Kharj Governorate and the Empty Quarter, Saudi officials said Friday morning.
Another six drones were "intercepted and destroyed" in the Eastern Region and one over the Empty Quarter on Friday evening, the Ministry of Defense said.
A ballistic missile launched towards Al-Kharj Governorate late in the evening was also intercepted, the ministry said. Saudi Arabia's Directorate of Civil Defense issued a warning in Al-Kharj Governorate for the public to seek shelter.
In Dubai, a building in the city center was hit by debris from an intercepted attack, the government media office said on Friday.
An AFP correspondent described hearing a huge double blast that rattled buildings and left a large cloud of black smoke hanging over a central district with no injuries reported.
The UAE defense ministry said air defenses had “engaged” seven ballistic missiles and 27 drones launched from Iran on Friday.
An AP journalist said a fire was also being tackled in Dubai’s Al Quoz area.
The latest wave of attacks means more than 1,500 Iranian drones and nearly 300 missiles have been intercepted by the UAE since the war started on February 28
The latest incident comes after a drone fell near Dubai’s financial district on Thursday. Iran had threatened to hit economic institutions, prompting some companies to evacuate staff from the area.
The UAE and other countries in the Gulf have come under constant Iranian fire since the war started. The state have remained committed to not retaliating against Iran or being drawn further into the conflict.
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, emphasized "the importance of de-escalation and prioritizing dialogue and diplomatic means to enhance security and stability in the region" during a phone call on Friday in which they discussed "Iranian aggression."
Dubai’s airport, one of the world’s biggest, has been repeatedly targeted as well as its port and famous landmarks, including the Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al-Arab hotel.
Air raid sirens also sounded in Bahrain on Friday. The kingdom said it had intercepted and destroyed 115 missiles and 191 drones fired from Iran since the start of the conflict.
*With AFP and AP
