ABU DHABI: Police in the United Arab Emirates said on Friday they had detained more than 100 people for filming and sharing misleading” content on social media about the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The arrests come amid a wider regional crackdown, with officials warning that publishing unverified footage or information about missile and drone strikes could spread panic and threaten public security.
“Abu Dhabi Police announced the arrest of 109 individuals of various nationalities who filmed sites and incidents and circulated incorrect information via social media platforms during current events,” it said in a statement on X, adding that some of the people had shared “misleading information.”
#أخبارنا | #شرطة_أبوظبي تضبط 109 شخصاً لقيامهم بتصوير الأحداث وتداول معلومات مضللة
أعلنت شرطة أبوظبي ضبط 109 أشخاص من جنسيات مختلفة قاموا بتصوير مواقع وأحداث وتداول معلومات غير صحيحة عبر منصات التواصل الاجتماعي خلال الأحداث الجارية، الأمر الذي من شأنه إثارة الرأي العام ونشر… pic.twitter.com/LWanahKiFp
— شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) March 20, 2026
Earlier, the UAE’s Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems intercepted four ballistic missiles and 26 drones launched from Iran on Friday alone.
Officials added that since the start of the current escalation, the country has dealt with a total of 338 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and more than 1,700 drones—figures that underscore the scale and persistence of the threat.
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/LTXSIgfSld— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 20, 2026
Meanwhile the escalating Middle East war is rippling through global markets and energy infrastructure, driving oil volatility, disrupting shipping and aviation, and prompting urgent diplomatic and economic responses worldwide.
