The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s Ministry of Defence today said that two members of its armed forces died in a helicopter crash due to a technical malfunction.

The ministry expressed its condolences and sympathy to the families of the two martyrs. Earlier in the day, the UAE reported a missile attack and said its air defence systems had been activated to respond, as Iran continues retaliatory strikes across West Asia.

The Ministry stated that the air defence systems detected 15 ballistic missiles, 12 of which were intercepted, while three fell into the sea. It also detected 18 UAVs, with 17 successfully intercepted and one landing within the country’s territory.