Australian Defence Force personnel are safe and accounted for after an Iranian drone strike hit the Al Minhad Air Base, a key operational headquarters for the ADF in the Middle East, according to Defence Minister Richard Marles. The base, located about 40 kilometers outside Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was targeted on the first night of the conflict, but no personnel were injured. The strike comes amidst a series of Iranian retaliatory attacks on Gulf states and neighboring countries, including damage to Dubai's international airport and the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the potential risks faced by Australian personnel stationed there. Despite the recent attacks, the Albanese government remains committed to supporting US-Israeli strikes on Iran, aiming to prevent Iran from acquiring a deployable nuclear weapon, which could have catastrophic global consequences. The ADF has a significant presence in the Middle East, with approximately 100 serving personnel stationed across various countries, including the UAE. This presence includes a smaller force at Al Minhad, which has been used as an operational headquarters since 2003. The ADF's involvement in the region is not without precedent, as they have faced similar threats before, such as the 2019 attack on an Iraqi military base hosting over 300 ADF personnel. The Australian government is working closely with the UAE to provide assistance to travelers and condemn the Iranian regime's indiscriminate attacks, emphasizing the importance of regional stability and security.
