A missile, likely launched by Iran, ​struck a ‌helipad in the ​US embassy ​compound in Baghdad, ⁠the ​AP reported ​on Saturday, citing two ​Iraqi ​security officials.

There was ‌a column ⁠of smoke rising on Saturday ​morning ​over ⁠the compound, ​the ​AP ⁠said.

The US embassy complex in Baghdad’s Green Zone, a heavily secured area in the Iraqi capital, has faced repeated attacks from rockets and drones launched by Iran-aligned militias, authorities said.

On Friday, the embassy renewed its Level 4 security alert for Iraq, warning that Iran and affiliated militia groups have previously targeted US citizens, infrastructure, and interests and “may continue to target them.”

Dubai intercepts aerial attack

Meanwhile, in Dubai, debris struck the facade of a building in the city centre after an aerial attack was successfully intercepted, according to the Dubai Media Office.

Officials said no fire broke out and no injuries were reported, and the situation has since been contained.

Authorities did not clarify whether the intercepted object was a missile or a drone.

In a related development, the United Arab Emirates public prosecutor ordered the arrest of 10 individuals of various nationalities for posting real and fabricated videos on social media showing the country under attack.

State news agency Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that the videos included footage claiming to show the UAE deploying air defence systems or being struck by projectiles, as well as AI-generated or manipulated clips depicting explosions, fires, and attacks on prominent landmarks.

Authorities said sharing such videos — whether authentic or fabricated — could create public confusion, threaten security, and provide hostile media outlets with material undermining confidence in the government.

Those arrested face a minimum prison sentence of one year and a fine of 100,000 dirhams, the authorities said, citing deliberate deception, threats to public safety, and spreading fear among the population.

The sprawling embassy complex, located inside Baghdad’s security Green Zone, has been repeatedly targeted by rockets and drones fired by Iran-aligned militias.

Earlier on Friday, the embassy renewed its Level 4 security alert for Iraq, warning that Iran and Iran-aligned militia groups have previously carried out attacks against US citizens, interests and infrastructure, and “may continue to target them”.

Dubai intercepts aerial attack

Debris struck the facade of a building in central Dubai after an aerial attack was successfully intercepted, according to the Dubai Media Office.

Authorities said no fire broke out and no injuries were reported.

The situation has since been brought under control. Officials did not specify whether the intercepted object was a missile or a drone.

In a separate development, the United Arab Emirates public prosecutor ordered the arrest of 10 individuals of various nationalities for posting real and fabricated videos on social media depicting the country under attack.

According to the state news agency Emirates News Agency (WAM), the videos included footage claiming to show the UAE deploying air defence systems or being struck by projectiles, as well as AI-generated or manipulated clips showing explosions, fires and attacks on prominent landmarks.

Authorities said sharing such videos — whether genuine or fabricated — could create confusion, affect public security and provide hostile media outlets with material that undermines confidence in the government.

Those arrested face a minimum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 dirhams, authorities said, citing deliberate deception, threats to public security and the spreading of fear among the public.