The British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates has advised UK nationals to stay indoors as the conflict in the Middle East escalates. In a statement on X, the embassy urged Britons to "move indoors and remain inside" from 13:00 local time (09:00 GMT), adding that people should stay away from windows and seek interior stairwells or rooms with few windows for additional protection.
The UAE Defence Ministry reported that one ballistic missile and six drones struck the country's territory, as the war widens. The ministry said it repelled six missiles and 131 drones on Thursday, and hundreds since the conflict began. Earlier this week, shrapnel from intercepted cruise missiles killed three residents, and falling debris has wounded 94 people in recent days.
Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer told the Commons that more than 4,000 people have been evacuated to the UK from the Middle East, with half arriving from the UAE. He described the support as on a scale "not seen since Covid". Further flights were expected on Thursday.
Home Office minister Alex Norris confirmed that a repatriation flight from Oman to Britain remained grounded due to problems with boarding passengers. The plane was expected to leave Muscat at noon UK time on Thursday. Norris emphasised the government was taking the war "exceptionally seriously" and working with regional partners for collective self-defence.
