A military facility in the United Arab Emirates, housing British, US, and Australian troops, was hit by a missile attack believed to be of Iranian origin. The Al Minhad Air Base, where the UK maintains a permanent presence, was struck late on Tuesday, resulting in a fire that caused minor damage to an accommodation block and a medical facility. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that over 100 Australian military personnel are stationed at Al Minhad, all of whom were reported safe after the attack.
Albanese emphasized that Australia is not engaged in any war and mentioned that it was uncertain whether Tehran specifically targeted the Al Minhad base, attributing the attack to what he described as Iran’s random assaults in the region. He made these remarks while responding to US President Donald Trump’s recent statement asserting that the US no longer requires assistance from allies like Australia in conflicts with Iran.
The Al Minhad Air Base serves as Australia’s military headquarters in the Middle East. The UK established a permanent headquarters at the base in 2024 to support its operations in the region. Named Donnelly Lines, the UK military facility includes a new headquarters, accommodations, and welfare amenities for Royal Air Force personnel stationed in the UAE. The facility is named after Sergeant ‘Billy’ Donnelly, an RAF Navigator who perished in a plane crash near the base in 1943.
The Ministry of Defence has not issued any official statement regarding the missile attack on the military base.
