Arab Region in Escalating Crisis as New Explosions Rock Bahrain, Dubai, Doha and Kuwait
New explosions were reported across Arab nations on Monday, 2 March 2026. According to AFP, explosions were heard in Manama in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Doha in Qatar, Jerusalem, Kuwait and Iraq.
“New explosions were heard in the capital of Bahrain… one person killed,” said local authorities.
“Explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi,” an AFP eyewitness later reported, also mentioning Dubai and Doha.
Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem following reports that the Israeli military had “identified missiles launched from Iran,” which triggered air raid sirens.
There were no direct reports of impact and damage from the explosions. AFP suggested the blasts could potentially have resulted from efforts to intercept incoming missiles.
In Kuwait, forces intercepted several drones targeting the country on the same day. A fire was also reported at the US Embassy in Kuwait City.
Mohammed Al-Mansouri, head of civil defence at Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, emphasised that Kuwaiti air defence personnel effectively intercepted several hostile airborne targets in the early morning hours. He also stressed that the situation in the country remained stable with no cause for concern.
“At least one person was killed and 32 others were wounded in Kuwait, all foreign nationals,” said the health ministry.
In Iraq, air defence systems intercepted at least two drones on Monday morning near Erbil airport. Since the beginning of the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, drones have been repeatedly intercepted over Erbil, which hosts US-led coalition forces and a large US consulate complex.
New US-Israeli Attacks on Iran and Lebanon
The United States was also reported to have launched strikes against hundreds of targets in Iran. Meanwhile, Israel expanded its bombing campaign to Lebanon on Monday.
This action followed the death of US military personnel in operations in Tehran. US President Donald Trump stated he would retaliate for the first American soldier killed in the conflict.
“Unfortunately, there will likely be more casualties before this operation ends. But America will avenge their deaths,” said Trump.
The conflict began on Saturday when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. The attack reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Israeli military stated it had conducted a “large-scale assault” in the heart of Tehran and bombarded Lebanon, which is a base for Hizbullah. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have openly called for the overthrow of the Iranian government.