EXPLOSION HEARD OVER DUBAI AIRPORT AS AIR DEFENCE INTERCEPTS AERIAL THREAT

An explosion was heard over Dubai International Airport on Saturday after air-defence systems intercepted an aerial threat amid rising tensions in the Gulf.Witnesses told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that a loud blast was followed by a cloud of smoke visible in the sky near the airport. Flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 showed several aircraft circling above the city in holding patterns during the incident.Authorities later clarified that the situation was caused by falling debris from a successful interception, describing it as a minor incident that was quickly contained.The Dubai Media Office said reports circulating on social media suggesting the airport itself was attacked were inaccurate, stressing that airport operations were not significantly affected.The development comes amid growing regional tensions following the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with several missile and drone interceptions reported across parts of the Gulf in recent days.