A montage of the false missile warning sent to mobile users in the UAE on June 26, 2026. EXPAT MEDIA

A missile warning sent to thousands of mobile phones across the UAE on Friday afternoon (June 26) was confirmed to be a false alarm, with authorities swiftly issuing follow-up messages reassuring residents that there was no threat. The emergency notification, broadcast through the UAE's national public warning system at 5:17pm, instructed residents to "immediately seek a safe place in the closest secure building" due to a potential missile threat. The alert also advised people to stay away from windows, doors and open areas while awaiting further instructions. The unexpected message prompted confusion among residents in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates as mobile phones simultaneously sounded the emergency alert. Just minutes later, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) sent a second notification declaring the situation safe before issuing a third message stating: "Please disregard the previous warning." The follow-up alerts effectively cancelled the earlier emergency notification and confirmed that no missile threat existed. While the mistaken alert briefly caused concern among residents, the rapid clarification helped prevent unnecessary panic as officials confirmed that the UAE remained safe. Later on Friday, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) issued a statement calling the incident a technical malfunction. "We are addressing a technical malfunction in the early warning system and we appreciate the community's cooperation and understanding," according to NCEMA. The Ministry of Interior and government authorities reminded the public to rely only on official government communication channels for verified information, warning against the spread of rumours and misinformation during emergencies. CAM/Expat Media
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