A barrage of Iranian strikes caused unprecedented havoc across the Gulf on Saturday, effectively shattered the aura of peace that regional leaders work tirelessly to maintain. Consequently, residents in major cities now face a new reality of instability after decades of relative calm.
Missiles streaked across clear desert skies while smoke plumed from US bases in Manama and Abu Dhabi. Simultaneously, loud thuds shook high-rise windows in Dubai, terrifying the diverse expat populations who call the Emirates home. In Qatar, dozens of people fled in panic as a falling missile plunged into a residential neighborhood. The projectile erupted in a fireball upon hitting the street, leaving local families in a state of absolute shock.
Residents Voice Deep Concern
In Bahrain’s capital, authorities hurriedly evacuated residents from the Juffair district near the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet base. “When we heard the sounds, we cried out of fear,” said Jana Hassan, a 15-year-old student visiting the area. She added: “We didn’t know what to do… I will never forget the sound of those loud blasts.”
Furthermore, the commercial hub of Dubai saw missiles surge past the iconic Burj Khalifa. “It was a rumble and then a bang,” one resident told reporters. Similarly, an American resident in Doha reported that the glass in her home was shaking violently. She expressed fury regarding the instability, noting that her sons are now “asking me if we will have to go back home.”
Impact on Regional Stability
The Gulf monarchies traditionally remain on the periphery of Middle East conflicts to attract global business and tourism. However, these sudden attacks on US military bases have compromised the reputation for safety that these nations carefully cultivate.
“As a Lebanese, I am traumatised,” a mother of two living in Riyadh explained. “We came to the Gulf because it’s known to be safer than Lebanon. Now I don’t know what to do.” Another Riyadh resident from Jordan shared this sentiment, stating: “It was honestly very scary and very loud. It’s not something you expect in Riyadh.”
