Influencers in Dubai have faced backlash for posting videos of luxury lifestyles during Iran's missile and drone attacks on Saturday night, which targeted Gulf states in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks. The UAE reported three deaths and 68 injuries since the conflict began, and said it intercepted most projectiles. Despite emergency warnings urging residents to take shelter, many continued partying, with one hookah lounge patron noting that people returned to their food and drinks within minutes.
Mike Babayan, a 23-year-old day-trader and TikTok influencer with nearly 150,000 followers, documented the strikes from his high-rise apartment. He moved from his home in the Burj Khalifa to a safer location, yet still heard explosions every 20 to 30 minutes. Babayan felt a duty to combat misinformation, debunking an AI-generated video of the Burj Khalifa on fire. However, he also boasted about wearing a $60,000 watch while walking at night, arguing Dubai was safer than New York, Los Angeles, or London.
British travel influencer Will Bailey, with almost 500,000 followers, witnessed missiles from a beach club where the DJ continued playing. He and others posted videos of the Fairmont The Palm hotel engulfed in smoke, drawing comments like 'Why is everyone still partying?' Another influencer filmed from a yacht party. A British entrepreneur visiting Dubai faced criticism after complaining in a deleted video that the conflict grounded her flight, bemoaning cancelled events and meetings.
Babayan acknowledged that influencers often come across as 'douchey' and that their portrayal of life during the war has angered many, with some saying the disruption is deserved. Dr Sreya Mitra, an associate professor at the American University of Sharjah, noted that Indian social media influencers in Dubai are trying to counteract sensationalised Indian news by posting videos of normalcy, such as Ramadan markets, to reassure families back home. The UAE has sustained less damage than Lebanon or Israel, but airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi suffered some damage.
