2026 in the United Arab Emirates
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Events in the year 2026 in the United Arab Emirates.
Events
January
- January 12 – Somalia revokes all bilateral agreements with the UAE, citing violations of its sovereignty.[1]
- January 13 – The Philippines and the UAE sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.[2]
- January 23–24 – First round of the Trilateral negotiations involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia to end the Russo-Ukrainian war are held in Abu Dhabi.[3]
February
- February 7 – PFL Champions Series 5[4][5]
- February 8 – A man accused of shooting and injuring Russian general Vladimir Alexeyev in Moscow on 6 February is arrested in Dubai.[6]
- February 13 – Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem resigns as chair and CEO of DP World after being named in the Epstein files.[7]
- February 28 –
- In retaliation for the 2026 Israeli–United States strikes on Iran, Iran launches missiles at surrounding countries, including the UAE, killing a person in Abu Dhabi.[8]
- Iran launches a ballistic missile attack on Dubai, damaging a hotel on the Palm Islands and injuring at least four people. The Burj Khalifa is evacuated.[9]
March
- March 1 – Multiple Iranian Shahed drones strike the French naval air station at Camp de la Paix in Abu Dhabi.[10]
- March 3 –
- An Iranian drone strike damages Al Minhad Air Base, the headquarters of the Australian Defence Force's Joint Task Force 633. Australian defence minister Richard Marles confirms that there were no casualties in the strike.[11]
- A large fire is reported at an oil terminal in Fujairah, following an Iranian Shahed drone attack.[12]
- France deploys Rafale fighter jets to the UAE in response to Iranian attacks.[13]
- The US Consulate in Al Seef, Dubai is set on fire by a drone attack.[14]
- March 4 – Several stock exchanges resume, including Nasdaq Dubai, Dubai Financial Market, and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, after being put on pause for two days.[15]
- March 5 – The UAE’s air defence systems intercept six ballistic missiles and 125 drones launched by Iran.[16]
- March 7 – Dubai International Airport suspends operations after an aerial interception near the airport during Iranian drone and missile attacks in the region. Airport operations later partially resume as the UAE continues responding to the aerial threats.[17] On the same day, debris from aerial interceptions hit the façade of a tower in Dubai Marina and kill an Asian national after debris hits a vehicle.[18]
- March 9 – A helicopter of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces crashes at an undisclosed location after a technical malfunction, killing at least two people.[19]
- March 10 – The Ruwais refinery in Al Dhannah, Abu Dhabi Emirate, shuts down after a drone strike that causes a fire.[20]
- March 14 – The Port of Fujairah suffers a drone attack.[21]
- March 16 – Iran launches drone attacks on the UAE, killing a Palestinian man in Abu Dhabi and forcing the temporary closure of Dubai International Airport.[22]
- March 17 – An oil tanker near Fujairah is struck by an unknown projectile. The Shah gas field also suspends operations.[23]
- March 25 – Gold prices in Dubai rise after a 15-day drop amidst potential diplomacy to end the Iran war.[24]
- 27 March – Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE report that they have intercepted missile and drone attacks.[25]
- 28 March –
- The 30th Dubai World Cup is held in Dubai.[26]
- Iran said that it targeted a Ukrainian anti-drone system depot in Dubai which it said was used to assist American forces.[27]
- Emirates Global Aluminium reports that one of its facilities in Abu Dhabi sustained significant damage and several injuries during missile and drone attacks attributed to Iran.[28]
April
- 1 April – A Bangladeshi national is killed by shrapnel during a drone interception in Fujairah.[29]
- 2 April –
- Global investment management firm Hillhouse Investment opens a new office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, making it one of the first companies to push ahead with a base since the war started on February 28.[30]
- Minor damage is reported near the Kizad area in Abu Dhabi after air defenses successfully intercept a missile.[31]
- 3 April –
- The UAE intercepts 18 ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles, and 47 drones from Iran.[32]
- The Maltese-flagged CMA CGM Kribi, a container ship registered by French shipping company CMA CGM, crosses the Strait of Hormuz after departing Dubai, making it the first ship from Western Europe to cross the strait since the war started.[33]
- 5 April – The UAE declares its willingness to join a U.S.-led international coalition to secure and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran.[34]
- 6 April – Debris from a missile defense system falls on a Raneen Systems building in Mussafah, injuring a Ghanaian citizen.[35]
- 7 April – Two Pakistani nationals are injured when a building of the Thuraya company is struck by an Iranian ballistic missile in the Emirate of Sharjah.[36]
- 15 April – Daniel Kinahan, the suspected leader of the Ireland-based Kinahan Organised Crime Group, is arrested in Dubai.[37] He is extradited to Ireland on 9 August.[38]
- 20 April – Authorities announce the arrest of 27 members of an Iranian-linked "terrorist" cell.[39]
- 28 April – The UAE announces its withdrawal from OPEC effective 1 May.[40]
May
- 17 May – A drone strike is carried out in the vicinity of the Barakah nuclear power plant.[41]
July
- 24 July – The United States imposes a 12.5% tariff on the UAE, citing the presence of alleged forced labour in the supply chain.[42]
- 25 July – Wadi Wurayah is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[43]
August
- 10 August – The UAE state that it repelled attacks targeting aviation, energy and education fields.[44]
- 18 August – The UAE state that Iran fired two missile towards it, adding that one landed inside its territorial waters.[45] The UAE then halts all trade, exchange, and financial transactions with Iran until further notice.[46] Iran denies that it launched missiles towards the UAE, citing a "false flag" operation.[47]
Holidays
Source:[48]
- January 1 – New Year's Day
- March 19 – 22 – Eid al-Fitr
- May 26 – Day of Arafat
- May 27–29 – Eid al-Adha
- June 16 – Islamic New Year
- August 25 – The Prophet's Birthday
- December 1 – Commemoration Day
- December 2 – National Day
References
- ↑ "Somalia cancels all agreements with UAE over alleged sovereignty violations". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ↑ Cupin, Bea (January 13, 2026). "Philippines signs free trade deal with UAE". Rappler. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ↑ "US-brokered Russia-Ukraine talks close with no breakthrough". Al Jazeera. January 24, 2026. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ↑ "PFL announces 24 events on tap in 2026, locations for first four". MMA Junkie. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ↑ Martin, Damon (18 November 2025). "PFL announces first 4 events for 2026, plans for 24 total shows next year". MMA Fighting: UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) News, Results. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ↑ "Man Suspected of Shooting GRU General Arrested in Dubai, FSB Says". The Moscow Times. 2026-02-08. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
- ↑ "Head of Dubai-based ports giant quits after Epstein links revealed". BBC. 2026-02-13. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
- ↑ "AFP: Loud explosions heard in Saudi capital Riyadh". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- ↑ "Burj Khalifa evacuated? Why Dubai authorities are asking people to vacate world's tallest building". Hindustan Times. 2026-02-28. Retrieved 2026-02-28.
- ↑ "UAE says Iran drone attack caused fire at base hosting French forces". The New Arab.
- ↑ "Australia says defence personnel safe after drone attack near Dubai air base".
- ↑ "Fire at UAE's Fujairah oil facility as drone attack intercepted". Sky News. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ↑ "France deploys fighter jets over UAE to protect its military bases". France 24. 2026-03-03. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ↑ "US Consulate In Dubai Hit As Fresh Explosions Rock UAE; Fire And Smoke Seen In Bur Dubai". Times Now]. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ↑ "UAE exchanges to reopen Wednesday after two-day suspension due to Iran conflict".
- ↑ "US-Iran latest: UAE intercepts six ballistic missiles and 125 drones". The National. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ↑ Oduah, Henry (2026-03-07). "Dubai airport suspends operations after interception". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ↑ "Driver killed in Dubai after debris from missile interception hits vehicle". Anadolu Ajansi. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ↑ "Two members of UAE armed forces killed in helicopter crash, ministry says". Reuters. 9 March 2026. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ↑ "UAE oil giant ADNOC shuts Ruwais refinery after drone strike, source says". Reuters. 10 March 2026.
- ↑ "Some oil loading operations suspended after fire in UAE's Fujairah, sources say". Reuters. 14 March 2026.
- ↑ "Iranian drone strike hits Dubai airport".
- ↑ "Gas Nears $3.80 Per Gallon—Oil Prices Spike Again As Iran Continues Striking Ships".
- ↑ Dayanand, Nivetha (2026-03-25). "Gold jumps in Dubai after 15-day fall, buyers caught off guard". Gulf News. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ "3 GCC states say they intercepted missiles and drones". Anadolu Ajansi. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- ↑ Luckings, Steve. "Dubai World Cup a symbol of UAE's determination amid conflict and crisis". The National. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- ↑ "Iran claims strike on Ukrainian defence site in UAE's Dubai". Bangladesh Pratidin. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
- ↑ "Emirates Global Aluminium reports injuries and damage after Iran attack on Abu Dhabi facility". The Times of Israel. AFP. 2026-03-28. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- ↑ "Bangladeshi killed by drone shrapnel in UAE: Official media". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2026-04-01.
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hillhouse-investment-opens-abu-dhabi-office-war-region-drags-2026-04-02/
- ↑ "Minor damage reported near Abu Dhabi's Kezad after missile interception". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ Nils Adler; Caolán Magee. "US fighter jet downed over Iran, search under way, says state media". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-04-03.
- ↑ "France sends first Western European ship through Hormuz". euronews. 2026-04-03. Retrieved 2026-04-04.
- ↑ "'Ready To Play Our Part': UAE Says It Will Join 'Any US-Led Effort' To Secure Hormuz".
- ↑ "Debris from air defense interception injures Ghanaian national in UAE". The Times of Israel. 2026-04-06. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
- ↑ "Iran war live: Trump says 'whole civilisation will die' in threat to Iran".
- ↑ "Alleged Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan is arrested in Dubai". AP News. 2026-04-18. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
- ↑ "Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan returning to Ireland in high-security operation". BBC. 2026-08-09. Retrieved 2026-08-09.
- ↑ "UAE reports dismantling of Iran-linked 'terror' cell". Al Jazeera. 2026-04-20. Retrieved 2026-04-21.
- ↑ "United Arab Emirates says it will leave OPEC effective May 1". AP News. 2026-04-28. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
- ↑ Gambrell, Jon; Magdy, Samy (2026-05-17). "Drone strikes UAE nuclear plant as US and Iran signal they are prepared to resume war". Associated Press. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
- ↑ Race, Michael; Velasquez, Francisco; Crew, Jemma; Chia, Osmond (24 July 2026). "US hits dozens of countries with new wave of tariffs". BBC News. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
- ↑ "Look: Fujairah's Wadi Wurayah added to list of Unesco World Heritage sites". Khaleej Times. 25 July 2026. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "UAE says it thwarted cyber attacks targeting energy and aviation sectors". The Times of Israel. Reuters. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "UAE says Iran launched two missiles at it". The Times of Israel. Reuters. 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "UAE says all trade, commercial exchanges, financial transactions with Iran halted until further notice". The Times of Israel. 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "Citing 'false flag' operation, Iran denies its forces fired missiles at UAE". Haaretz. 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "UAE Public Holidays 2026". Public Holidays Global. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
External links
Years in the United Arab Emirates (1971–present) | |
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