(VOICE OF NAIJA)- When missiles started flying over the sky in Dubai, Hofit Golan, an influencer living in the city, was left in disbelief.
“We are not used to having missiles intercepted above your head,” the Israeli-Canadian told BBC News. “I saw missiles being intercepted and smoke on the Palm [building].”
Part of the booming influencer scene in the city, Golan is one of a number who have expressed shock and fear as Iranian drone and missile attacks have been fired towards the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the past three days, in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
While most of the Iranian attacks appear to have been intercepted so far, some of the UAE’s most iconic buildings have been damaged – including the Fairmont The Palm hotel in the luxurious Palm Jumeirah area and the Burj Al Arab hotel.
Dubai International Airport has also been hit, along with Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport – where one person was reported killed.
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For years, Dubai has cultivated a reputation as a glamorous and attractive destination for expats pursuing business opportunities and travel.
It’s also been a safe haven for residents in an unstable wider region.
Posting on social media over the weekend, former Love Island contestant Arabella Chi, who is based in Dubai, described the attacks on the UAE as “a very scary time”.
British model and influencer Petra Ecclestone said: “We came to Dubai to feel safe, and we finally felt like we were settling in, and now this has happened.”
Former England footballer Rio Ferdinand, speaking on his football show, Rio Ferdinand Presents, said: “It’s frightening when you hear missiles, planes and fighter jets – I don’t know what it is – going above us, and you’re hearing big bombs, and what that is we don’t know as we don’t know the details of what they are.”
He added, however, that he’s felt “very secure and looked after”.
Many influencers have been posting praise for the government online and saying that there is no need to feel unsafe.
Criticism of the government is illegal in the UAE.