Several residents from Northern Ireland remain in the United Arab Emirates after Dubai International Airport suspended operations. The airport, which records the highest passenger traffic globally, sustained damage in an incident that injured four staff members. Regional missile launches by Iran followed strikes on the country by the United States and Israel.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises British nationals in the UAE and other Gulf states to shelter in place and register their location online. Stormont's Executive Office called on British and Irish citizens in the Middle East to register through UK and Irish government websites. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly joined leaders from other devolved administrations at a briefing with UK officials on support arrangements.

Fiona and Damian Gallagher arrived in Dubai from Derry City on 23 February with daughters Niamh and Bronagh plus Bronagh's partner Derri. Their Saturday flight to Manchester cancelled after baggage drop-off. Emirates provided hotel rooms 45 minutes from the airport. The family heard distant explosions and observed black smoke several miles away, with three blasts that morning.

Katy McKinney from Antrim travelled to Dubai on a business trip with her husband. Hotel staff evacuated guests to the basement at 2:15 a.m. Sunday. The building adjoins the site of an explosion at the Fairmont The Palm hotel. Guests saw smoke from there and later heard distant noises after returning to rooms. McKinney awaits word on her Wednesday flight to Dublin, with updates issued every 24 hours.

Conor Duggan, a teacher from Ballygalget in County Down who lives in Abu Dhabi, attended a GAA tournament near Dubai. His team checked phones for news after the first match. Duggan saw smoke over Dubai while driving back. Local schools shifted to online classes until Thursday as he follows instructions to remain indoors.

Adrian McGurn from Derrygonnelly in Fermanagh lives in Abu Dhabi with his fiancée Kate. They heard loud bangs from Saturday lunchtime, received phone alerts to stay indoors, and awoke to another at 1 a.m. Sunday. Reports noted a drone incident at Dubai airport and 137 missiles over Abu Dhabi with 132 intercepted. A later bang shook their building as black smoke rose 10 minutes' drive away. Schools there adopted distance learning from Monday to Wednesday.