Abu Dhabi, March 2 (Petra) - The UAE Ministry of Defense announced on Monday that Emirati air defenses intercepted nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles, and 148 drones.

According to the official Emirates News Agency (WAM), the ministry said that since the start of the Iranian attacks, a total of 174 ballistic missiles had been launched toward the country, of which 161 were destroyed while 13 fell into the sea.

It added that 689 Iranian drones were detected, with 645 intercepted and 44 falling within the country’s territory. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed, causing some damage and resulting in three deaths and 68 minor injuries.

The ministry strongly condemned the military targeting, describing it as blatant aggression and a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law, and affirmed the UAE’s full right to respond to the escalation.

//Petra// AF