Abu Dhabi police arrest 45 over filming, spreading misinformation on attacks

Police in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi said on Saturday they had arrested 45 people, including foreigners, for "spreading misinformation and filming and sharing event locations" as Iran continued to strike the Gulf.

"The Abu Dhabi Police Criminal Investigation Department arrested 45 individuals of various nationalities for filming different locations during ongoing events and posting them on social media platforms," the police said.

"They were also accused of spreading inaccurate and misleading information, which could incite public opinion and spread rumors within the community," they added.

#أخبارنا | #شرطة_أبوظبي تضبط 45 شخصاً لقيامهم بتداول معلومات مضللة وتصوير ونشر مواقع الأحداث

ضبطت مديرية التحريات والتحقيقات الجنائية بشرطة أبوظبي 45 شخصاً من جنسيات مختلفة لقيامهم بتصوير مواقع مختلفة خلال الأحداث الجارية، ونشرها عبر منصات التواصل الاجتماعي، إلى جانب تداول… pic.twitter.com/WAAAiMUAW2 — شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) March 13, 2026

Amid the continuing tensions, the UAE Ministry of Defense said in a post on X on Friday that the country’s air defenses had intercepted 285 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,567 drones since the start of what it described as “blatant Iranian aggression.”

الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية تتعامل مع الصواريخ الباليستية والجوالة والمسيرات الإيرانية.

UAE Air Defences engaged Iranian Ballistic and Cruise Missiles and UAVs Attacks#وزارة_الدفاع #وزارة_الدفاع_الإماراتية#MOD#UAEMinistryOfDefence pic.twitter.com/kdiURIadvG — وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 13, 2026

The attacks have caused six fatalities — including Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals — and left 131 people injured, ranging from minor to moderate, affecting residents from dozens of countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The ministry said it remains fully prepared to counter any threats and will “firmly confront any attempts to undermine State security,” while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, stability and national interests.

Gulf states have borne the brunt of Tehran’s retaliation following a U.S.-Israeli aerial campaign against Iran on Feb. 28. Since the start of the strikes, more than 20 people have been killed across the region.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that the Islamic Republic “will be forced to respond” if neighboring countries allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.