Australians in Dubai describe missile interceptions, fear and flight chaos as Middle East conflict escalates

Explosions in the night sky, missiles intercepted overhead and hundreds of cancelled flights have left Australians stranded in Dubai, with some pleading for help while others who are based there insist life in the wealthy Gulf city is continuing almost as normal.

As the Middle East conflict escalates, Australians living in or travelling through the United Arab Emirates have been posting videos and first-hand accounts online describing the sound of interceptions, sleepless nights, empty tourist districts and growing frustration about how to get home.

Australia’s ambassador to the UAE, Ridwaan Jadwat, said Australians in the emirate had endured “extremely challenging” days as the region faced repeated missile and drone attacks.

In a video message posted by the Australian Embassy, Mr Jadwat said the strikes had caused “anxiety and distress” among residents.

“My wife and son, like many others, are sheltering in place,” he said.

“At present there are major restrictions on UAE airspace and normal flight operations are suspended.”

He said some limited departures had begun for passengers already booked on flights.

“Emirates and Etihad have commenced some limited repatriation flights for people who have been stranded with existing bookings,” he said.

Australians were urged to remain indoors while attacks continued.

“We strongly advise you to shelter in place… stay indoors and away from windows,” he said.

Although embassy and consulate offices were closed to the public for safety reasons, he said staff were continuing to assist Australians.

“Our team here at the embassy and the consulate general in Dubai are working around the clock,” he said.

The embassy video quickly filled with comments from Australians stranded in the UAE demanding clearer information about accommodation support and flights home.

Australian novelist Nicole Alexander said she and her sister had been “stranded in Dubai” since Sunday.

The author said travellers were being forced to pay their own accommodation costs while waiting for flights to resume.

“Contrary to UAE and Australian media, Dubai hotels have NOT received any official authorisation from the UAE government regarding covering unplanned accommodation costs for stranded guests,” she wrote.

“When I spoke to the Australian Consulate in Dubai they confirmed only those passengers in transit at the airport last weekend would be given assistance.

“There is no official support for anyone else.

“If there is further information on the provision of accommodation support could I please suggest that you broadcast the detail instead of offering generic statements.”

Other Australians posted similar concerns beneath the embassy video.

“I haven’t received anything from DFAT,” wrote Tanya Killeen.

Another commenter, Suzi Ganzei, said her husband and young son were also stranded in Dubai as flights continued to be cancelled.

“We have received only one message from the Australian Government telling us to try to secure a commercial flight home,” she wrote.

“There are no commercial options. Flights are repeatedly cancelled.

“Telling families to ‘book a flight’ when flights aren’t operating is not a plan.

“Australians deserve urgent, coordinated assistance, clear communication and a clear plan to get them home.”

Across Dubai, residents and travellers have been posting videos of flashes and explosions in the night sky as air defence systems intercept incoming missiles and drones.

Australian former Paralympic swimmer Jessica Smith, who lives in Dubai with her family, said the first night of attacks was frightening.

“The first 24 hours was incredibly terrifying, and we saw and heard the explosions directly above us,” she told the Today Show.

“At the time we had no idea what it was.

“We were swiftly informed by the UAE authorities and government that it was the interception of missiles and drones, but nevertheless incredibly terrifying, especially for our children.”

She said schools had closed while families worked from home “but there is a sense of calm”.

In a separate social media post, Smith — a motivational speaker and author — hit back at online commentary suggesting expatriates should leave the region.

“Please stop painting this entire region as one faceless place,” she wrote.

“The Middle East is not a monolith. The UAE is not Gaza. Lebanon is not Saudi. Iran is not Dubai.

“We were never told to leave.

“You don’t just abandon your life overnight because strangers on the internet think you should.”

Sydney-born radio personality Kris Fade, who has lived in Dubai for nearly two decades, said daily life was continuing despite the regional tensions.

“It is a regular day here,” he said during a broadcast on Virgin Radio Dubai.

“I’m in the office right now. The city is functioning as it always has. There’s people walking on the beaches, on the streets.

“Are we on alert? One hundred per cent. Do we feel safe? One hundred per cent.”

Fade said residents had still heard interceptions overnight.

“We just heard two loud booms,” he said.

“The windows completely shook.

“I trust our defence systems … But I want to be real and authentic about what’s happening.”

He said many aspects of everyday life in Dubai were still operating normally.

“I just got my trash picked up,” he said. “That’s how well the city is functioning.”

Australian broadcaster Lachlan Kitchen, who lives in Dubai, said residents were remaining calm.

“It’s a situation where we’re alert but not alarmed,” he told Seven’s Sunrise program.

“Were just working through this with caution.”

Australian entrepreneur Anastacia Snelleksz said she watched interceptions from her apartment balcony.

“Last night I watched black smoke rise from the Palm,” she wrote.

“This morning I watched drones get intercepted right above my balcony.

“I woke up to the sounds of interceptions, walked out onto my balcony and looked up. Instead of panic, I felt pride.

“In a moment that should have broken me with fear, I have never felt more protected in my life.”

Other expatriates have described a far more anxious experience.

Northern Ireland-born influencer Denise Curran, who has moved to a Dubai hotel with her family, said the sound of aircraft and interceptions had left residents on edge.

“Very little sleep again,” she said in a social media update.

“Last night all I could hear were the jet fighters.”

Curran said she tried to remind herself the aircraft were there to protect residents. “I just have to keep thinking they’re the incredible people up there. So I should be grateful to hear them.”

Filming from a balcony overlooking the beachfront area of Jumeirah Beach Residence, she said the usually busy tourist district appeared unusually quiet.

“There’s a couple of people walking on the beach,” she said.

“All the hotel pools are quiet.”

She said the uncertainty had taken an emotional toll.

“I keep drinking water trying to take the dryness out of my mouth… it’s just fear and anxiety,” she said.

“I just can’t wait to leave here,” she said.

Dubai officials said sounds heard across the city were the result of “air defence interception operations”.

Officials also confirmed a drone-related incident near the US Consulate in Dubai caused a fire that was quickly contained, with no injuries reported.

As of March 3, UAE officials said 174 missiles and 689 drones launched from Iran had been intercepted.

The UAE Public Prosecution has warned residents that posting or sharing unverified footage of attacks could lead to severe penalties.

“Information is a responsibility, and spreading rumours is a crime,” the authority said.

Anyone found sharing such content could face a Dh200,000 fine — about $77,700 — and imprisonment of at least one year.

The crisis has also triggered major disruption to aviation across the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed a commercial flight had departed Dubai bound for Sydney after days of cancellations across regional airspace.

The Australian government estimates about 115,000 Australians are currently in the Middle East, including around 24,000 in the United Arab Emirates.

Senator Wong said evacuating such large numbers would be difficult while aviation hubs remained under threat.

“When you have as many Australians as we have in the Emirates … that volume of traffic will really need to see commercial flights resume, if only sporadically, to get people home,” she said.

At Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest transit hubs, more than 500 flights were cancelled in a single day, leaving thousands stranded.

Airlines have urged passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have confirmed bookings.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has updated its Smartraveller advice, urging Australians in the UAE to remain alert, monitor official warnings and register with DFAT for updates and assistance.