Explosions were heard in downtown Dubai on Thursday as authorities responded to what officials described as a “minor drone incident” in the Al Bada’a residential area. According to the Dubai government’s media office, emergency services were dispatched quickly and no injuries were reported following the incident.

An AFP correspondent in the city reported hearing multiple blasts and observed small clouds of smoke rising above the Al Bada’a neighbourhood. The smoke dissipated shortly afterward, and authorities moved swiftly to secure the area while assessing the impact of the drone activity.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region, where Iran has continued a series of retaliatory strikes following attacks involving the United States and Israel earlier in the Middle East conflict that began on February 28. Since the outbreak of hostilities, the Gulf region has faced repeated drone and missile threats, with at least 24 people reported killed, including seven U.S. service members and 11 civilians.

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Earlier Thursday, maritime security officials reported a separate incident involving a container ship in the Persian Gulf near the coast of Dubai. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said a projectile struck the vessel, causing a small fire. The crew was reported safe and the blaze was brought under control.

Elsewhere in the region, several countries reported similar drone-related incidents. In Bahrain, an Iranian attack triggered a major fire on Muharraq Island, which hosts the country’s international airport and fuel storage facilities linked to the oil industry. Kuwaiti authorities also said a drone struck a residential building, leaving two people wounded.

Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones aimed at the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh and other locations in the kingdom’s eastern region, including at least one targeting the Shaybah oil field. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates confirmed that air defense systems had been activated twice to protect Dubai, and firefighters extinguished a blaze at a tower in Dubai Creek Harbour after another drone strike.

Also Read: Drone Attacks by Iran Hit Israel and Gulf, Leaving Energy and Civilians in Crisis