DUBAI: Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack from Iran on Sunday with damage reported at civilian facilities in the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait.
Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran over past weeks in response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February.
Three fires erupted at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais Industrial City on the UAE’s northwest coast after the site was hit by debris after an air defense interception.
“Authorities are responding to multiple fires in Borouge petrochemicals plant, caused by falling debris following successful interceptions by air defense systems,” Abu Dhabi’s media office said.
“Operations at the facility have been immediately suspended while damage is assessed. No injuries have been reported,” it added after the UAE’s defense ministry earlier said it was responding to missile and drone attacks.
An update later in the day said damage was recorded at the site and is being assessed.
Authorities in the UAE's Sharjah emirate said Sunday evening they were dealing with an incident at Khor Fakkan port in the Gulf of Oman.
The UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the captain of a container ship reported seeing multiple splashes from unknown projectiles in close proximity to the ship at the port.
ADNOC Gas said on Sunday that domestic demand in the UAE was being met through its other facilities after its Habshan complex in Abu Dhabi was hit by debris from an intercepted attack on Friday.
The attack, which killed one Egyptian citizen, "caused damage to certain facilities" at the Habshan complex, ADNOC Gas said.
Iranian drone attacks hit various targets in Kuwait on Sunday.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation reported “severe material damage” on Sunday after an Iranian drone attack caused fires at its operating units.
It said no injuries were reported, adding that teams were currently working to contain the fires and prevent it from spreading to other facilities.
In a separate incident, KPC earlier said a fire broke out in its Shuwaikh oil sector complex, which houses the oil ministry and KPC headquarters, after a drone attack.
Kuwaiti state media, citing the finance ministry, said an Iranian drone hit an office complex for government ministries, causing significant material damage but no casualties.
Kuwait’s electricity and water ministry said two Kuwaiti power and water desalination plants were damaged by a drone attack from Iran causing “significant material damage and the shutdown of two electricity generating units.”
In Bahrain on Sunday, the kingdom’s state energy company said an Iranian drone attack sparked a fire at a storage tank that was later extinguished.
“Bapco Energies confirms an incident occurred at one of its storage facilities earlier today resulting in a tank fire, as a result of a hostile Iranian drone attack,” the company said, without specifying the location of the blaze.
“The fire has been fully extinguished, and the situation is under control. Damages are currently being assessed and evaluated. No injuries have been reported,” it added.
Iran has targeted energy and other industrial infrastructure in the Gulf nations, accusing its neighbors of allowing US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.
The Gulf states have vehemently denied the accusations.
Iran has repeatedly threatened further attacks on civilian infrastructure in the Gulf countries as US-Israeli attacks in Iran have also hit targets that are key to the Islamic republic’s economy.
On Saturday, a strike on a petrochemical hub in southwest Iran killed five people on Saturday, according to the deputy governor of Khuzestan province.
Tehran’s escalating threats have also extended to desalination plants on which the Gulf countries rely heavily for their water supply.
– With AFP and Reuters
