Authorities in Abu Dhabi have arrested 45 people of different nationalities for allegedly spreading misinformation and filming sensitive locations during ongoing attacks linked to Iran, police said on Saturday.
According to Abu Dhabi Police, the suspects were detained by the Criminal Investigation Department after they recorded various sites during recent incidents and shared the footage on social media platforms.
Officials said the individuals were also accused of publishing false or misleading information, which authorities warned could fuel rumors, create panic, and influence public opinion during a sensitive security situation.
Meanwhile, the UAE Ministry of Defence stated that the country’s air defence systems have intercepted a large number of incoming threats since the escalation began. In a statement posted on X, the ministry said air defences had shot down 285 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,567 drones launched as part of what it described as Iranian attacks.
The ministry emphasized that the UAE would “firmly confront any attempts to undermine national security,” while continuing to protect the country’s sovereignty, stability, and national interests.
The developments come as the conflict across the Middle East intensifies. After nearly two weeks of fighting, around 2,000 people have reportedly been killed, with most casualties in Iran, while others were reported in Lebanon and parts of the Gulf region.
The escalating violence has displaced millions of civilians, with many fleeing their homes as air strikes continue across the region. In Beirut, heavy Israeli air strikes on suburban areas have forced hundreds of thousands to seek refuge in the capital, where authorities say accommodation resources are becoming increasingly limited.
