Smoke billowed over Dubai’s famous Palm Jumeirah on February 28, 2026, as the city’s luxury Fairmont The Palm Hotel was engulfed in flames—a dramatic scene caused by falling debris from an Iranian airstrike intercepted over the city. The incident, which left at least four people injured, unfolded against the backdrop of a rapidly escalating regional conflict, with air defense systems lighting up the skies and emergency services rushing to the scene.
According to Metro, the chaos erupted when air defense systems intercepted several Iranian missiles bound for targets in the United Arab Emirates. Shrapnel from one of these downed projectiles rained down near the beachfront Fairmont The Palm, igniting a fire that quickly consumed part of the £245 million ($330 million) five-star hotel. Onlookers, including stunned holidaymakers and residents, captured footage of the flames and the dramatic defense efforts, while the city’s usual air of safety was replaced by uncertainty and alarm.
The Palm Jumeirah, a man-made archipelago shaped like a palm tree and renowned for its opulent resorts and sweeping views, has long been a symbol of Dubai’s ambition and luxury. The Fairmont The Palm, which opened in 2012 and boasts nearly 400 rooms across 14 stories, became the unlikely epicenter of a military confrontation spilling over from distant borders. As emergency teams worked to contain the blaze and secure the site, the Dubai Civil Defence confirmed that four people had been injured and transferred to medical facilities. Officials emphasized that the safety of residents and visitors was their top priority, and the fire was eventually brought under control.
But Dubai was not alone in feeling the impact of the night’s violence. In neighboring Bahrain, Iranian suicide drones slammed into a tower block, setting the high-rise ablaze. According to Reuters, smoke rose from the burning building in Manama’s Seef district as emergency crews responded to the aftermath of yet another Iranian strike. The coordinated attacks across the Gulf underscored the volatile new phase of conflict that had erupted overnight.
The sequence of events began hours earlier, when former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had launched “major combat operations” in Iran. The stated goal: to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities. However, Trump’s speech hinted at broader ambitions, suggesting that the offensive might also aim to topple the regime of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, confirmed that Israel had launched a “preventative attack” against Iran, telling The Mirror that the strikes were being carried out “to remove threats.” Witnesses in Tehran reported hearing explosions, while the Associated Press noted that the U.S. was participating in Israel’s strikes against Iran.
The Iranian response was swift and far-reaching. According to Metro and The Mirror, Iran launched airstrikes targeting sites in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Iraq, and Israel, as well as U.S. military installations across the Middle East. The tit-for-tat attacks resulted in dozens of missile strikes and drone assaults, with civilians in affected cities scrambling for cover. In Dubai, people ran for safety after loud bangs echoed near the Marina, while in Abu Dhabi, debris from a strike reportedly killed one person after falling on a residential area.
As the situation deteriorated, authorities in the United Arab Emirates took the unprecedented step of closing the country’s airspace. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced a temporary shutdown, suspending most flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai—two of the world’s busiest air travel hubs and home to the flagship carriers Etihad and Emirates. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs warned of significant flight disruptions across the Gulf and Middle East, urging Irish citizens to shelter in place, follow local instructions, and avoid non-essential travel. “Irish citizens with plans to travel to, or through, the regions, should contact their airline or travel agency immediately, and avoid non-essential travel,” the department said on X (formerly Twitter).
In the wake of the strikes, foreign governments scrambled to update their travel advice. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office issued an urgent warning to British nationals in Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, advising them to “remain indoors in a secure location, avoid all travel and follow instructions from the local authorities.” The government also advised against all travel to Israel and Palestine, highlighting the risk of further escalation. Meanwhile, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs reiterated its advice against travel to Iran, Israel, and Lebanon, underscoring the widespread concern among Western nations about the rapidly shifting landscape.
Social media quickly filled with firsthand accounts of the chaos. Leah Mai, a British influencer staying in Dubai, summed up the surreal atmosphere in a post on X: “Every so often you get reminded that ur really in the middle of a war zone.” Other visitors shared videos of air defense systems firing interceptors over the city, with some watching from swimming pools or hotel balconies as the night sky lit up with flashes and explosions—an unsettling juxtaposition of luxury and conflict.
Dubai authorities moved swiftly to reassure the public. According to RSVP, emergency teams were deployed immediately to the Palm Jumeirah area, and the site was quickly secured. Dubai Civil Defence confirmed that the fire at the Fairmont The Palm had been brought under control and that the injured were receiving medical care. Officials stressed that the safety of residents and visitors remained the top priority, and urged everyone to follow instructions from local authorities.
Yet, for many in Dubai and across the Gulf, the events of February 28, 2026, served as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to conflicts that can erupt with little warning and spill over borders. The Palm Jumeirah, typically a haven for luxury travelers and expatriates, became a symbol of the unpredictable dangers posed by geopolitical tensions. As the dust settled, questions lingered about the potential for further escalation and the lasting impact on the city’s reputation as a safe, cosmopolitan destination.
For now, as emergency crews repair the damage and authorities assess the fallout, Dubai’s residents and visitors are left to grapple with the reality of living—and vacationing—in a region where the lines between war and peace can blur in an instant.