DOHA/ABU DHABI — The Middle East has been thrust into a state of high-intensity conflict following the launch of “Operation Epic Fury,” a massive joint US-Israeli military offensive against Iran. Throughout Saturday, February 28, 2026, retaliatory strikes by Iran have triggered explosions, sirens, and casualties across multiple Gulf nations, marking the most significant regional escalation in decades.
From the desert plains of Qatar to the urban centers of the UAE, the “shadow war” has emerged into a full-scale regional confrontation.
Interceptions and Casualties in the Gulf
As US and Israeli jets struck targets in Tehran, Isfahan, and Qom, Iranian ballistic missiles and drones were launched toward Western military assets in neighboring states.
- Qatar: Multiple explosions were heard across Doha as defense forces intercepted incoming missiles. Blasts were reported near Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military facility in the region and the forward headquarters for US Central Command.
- UAE: In Abu Dhabi, state media confirmed the first civilian fatality of the day—an Asian national—after shrapnel from an intercepted missile fell into a residential area. Al Dhafra Air Base, shared by UAE and US forces, was among the primary targets.
- Bahrain: The US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama was directly targeted. Local authorities confirmed that a service center at the base was hit by a missile, a rare direct strike on a critical US naval hub.
Strikes in Iraq and Jordan
The conflict has ignored national borders, drawing in both active participants and those attempting to maintain neutrality.
- Iraq: At least two fighters were killed during an airstrike on the Jurf al-Sakhar base south of Baghdad. The facility, which houses pro-Iranian groups, was reportedly targeted to degrade regional proxy capabilities.
- Jordan: The Royal Jordanian Air Force intercepted and shot down two ballistic missiles over its territory. Amman remains on high alert, seeking to prevent its airspace from becoming a permanent combat zone.
- Kuwait & Saudi Arabia: Residents in Kuwait City and Riyadh reported hearing loud booms. Reports indicate that the Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait was also targeted in the Iranian salvo.
A Region Under Lockdown
The immediate fallout has paralyzed civilian movement. Airspace has been partially or fully closed in the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan, while major carriers—including Qatar Airways and Air India—have suspended all regional flights.
As President Trump confirms “major combat operations” and vows to “raze the missile industry to the ground,” the international community faces the reality of a widened war. The focus now shifts to the survival of the Iranian leadership, as the US president has explicitly called on the Iranian people to “take over your government” in the wake of the strikes.
Header Options
- The Strategic Focus: Regional Conflagration: Iran Strikes Back at US Bases, Explosions Reported in Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain as “Operation Epic Fury” Ignites
- The SEO Focus: US-Israel Attacks Iran: Missile Strikes Hit Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain in Major Middle East Escalation
- The Humanitarian Angle: The Cost of Epic Fury: First Fatality Reported in Abu Dhabi as Iran Retaliates Against US Bases
Bombed building Picture by Jaber Jehad Badwan
