Panic gripped residents in Qatar after missile debris crashed into a crowded street, sending civilians fleeing for safety amid escalating military tensions across the Middle East following retaliatory strikes involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Dramatic footage circulating on social media captured the moment chunks of debris fell from the sky into a populated area, triggering a fiery explosion and thick black smoke that quickly spread across the scene. Witnesses were seen running for cover as the wreckage struck the ground, marking one of several incidents linked to ongoing missile interceptions across Gulf states.
The incident followed Iran’s warning that it had “no red lines” in responding to recent United States and Israeli military operations reportedly targeting Iranian missile infrastructure under what has been described as “Operation Epic Fury.” Regional air defence systems were activated across Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain as multiple projectiles were intercepted mid-air.
Meanwhile, explosions were reported near a United States military base in Bahrain, where smoke was seen rising close to the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the Juffair area. Residents living near the installation said the blast shook buildings and shattered windows, forcing many families to evacuate their homes.
A resident, interviewed by Newsmen in Qatar, after the incident said that her apartment was severely affected by the shockwave, noting that although military personnel had reportedly been evacuated earlier, civilians were not warned in advance. She added that the sound of explosions and fighter jets was heard across large parts of Bahrain, with communities miles away feeling the impact.
Elsewhere, rockets were reported near Erbil International Airport in Iraq, where US forces are stationed, while Jordan’s military confirmed intercepting ballistic missiles aimed toward its territory. The series of attacks signals a widening regional confrontation, raising fears of further instability across the Gulf region as retaliatory actions continue.
