The UK has temporarily sent home the families of its embassy staff in Dubai as a precautionary measure amid rising tensions in the Middle East, the Foreign Office has announced.
In an update to travel advice, the Foreign Office stated: 'Due to the ongoing security situation, as a precautionary measure we have decided to temporarily withdraw the dependents of British Embassy staff from the United Arab Emirates. Our embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to operate as normal.'
The move follows a wave of Iranian strikes on the UAE, which have killed four people and injured 117 since February 28, according to official figures. The Emirati military reported that air defences intercepted 94% of more than 1,500 drone and missile attacks.
British fighter jets have been conducting defensive operations in support of the UAE, having already shot down two drones heading towards Jordan and Bahrain. A government-chartered flight is due to evacuate more British nationals, subject to the situation on the ground, as flights remain suspended across the UAE.
UAE ambassador to the UN, Jamal Jama al Musharakh, called for de-escalation and stressed that the UAE 'will not partake in any attacks against Iran' despite being targeted. More than 37,000 British nationals have returned from the Middle East to the UK since March 1.
