There are three types of people in Dubai right now: those off to play padel, those rushing to the Omani border, and those waiting for house prices to drop.
It’s a joke doing the rounds here, and it neatly captures the mood.
Day seven of this war started with the familiar humdrum of daily life – people out jogging, children off to the park, the malls filling with shoppers.
But the mid-morning air was pierced by the screech of another emergency alarm on mobile phones.
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This one warning of incoming missiles, telling people to seek shelter and stay away from windows.
We’ve now had to teach toddlers and childminders to take cover when they hear the warnings or blasts from air defence. I’ve met children in Ukraine who are so familiar with the sounds of war they can tell if it’s incoming or outgoing fire. I never expected to see children enduring this in Dubai.
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This is the dual reality the UAE is now living.
Normal life continues while the country is attacked every day.
The UAE is now having to defend its territory, residents and way of life – in a way it never imagined.
It’s understood Iran has fired more drones and missiles at the UAE than anywhere else – even Israel – in these last seven days of war.
If you want to get people’s attention, aim for a global city and its five-star hotels. Create shock, havoc, and headlines.
But no one expected this – not the government, the military, or the millions of people who live here.
The US military base in Abu Dhabi was always known to be a possible target, but fairly low down the list given the far larger American military assets in the region. The UAE also made it clear in a public statement several weeks ago that no attacks on Iran were to come from its territory, airspace or waters. It was thought this would add a layer of protection to Iran’s Gulf neighbour.
We couldn’t have been more wrong.
More than 200 ballistic missiles and nearly 2,000 drones have been fired at the UAE in seven days.
Two missiles and 74 drones have got through. Three people have been killed and dozens injured.
For some residents, it’s been too much, and community WhatsApp groups are in meltdown with people sharing flight information and tips on the journey to Muscat airport.
I’ve heard from many who have crossed into Oman to catch a flight, others who’ve driven to Saudi Arabia to get out.
I’ve also heard from others making the reverse journey – separated from their children and desperate to get back.
For many stranded tourists, it’s been a nightmare holiday. The initial shock of finding themselves caught up in a war has been replaced by a sense of abandonment.
The UK government took nearly a week to organise its first evacuation flight, and there are tens of thousands of British holidaymakers still trying to get home.
We’ve received hundreds of messages from people at a loss as to what to do. One traveller who did get a flight, called on the way to the airport to say they could see incoming fire.
It’s been a surreal and scary week on many levels. The psychological impact has been even greater than any physical harm.
Will this hurt the city? Will this impact the country? For sure. At least for a time. I’ve already spoken to residents who’ve left and don’t want to come back.
Will it impact the sky-high property prices and rents? Probably.
Much depends on how long this war lasts – how long Iran is willing to sabotage its relationship with its neighbours.
But what I do know is that seven days on, a country not used to war has shown it can defend itself.
And a population that chose this city for its lifestyle and security – never expecting to confront war on their doorstep – has shown a quiet resilience they can take pride in.
