ISTANBUL

Twelve people were wounded Friday by falling missile debris in the UAE’s Ajban area following what officials described as a successful interception by air defense systems.

The injured sustained minor to moderate wounds, including six Nepali and five Indian nationals, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a post on the US social platform X. One Nepali citizen suffered serious injuries, it added.

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated since Israel and the US launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage, while disrupting global markets and aviation.