Arrival Amid Conflict
When Will Bailey arrived in Dubai in the early hours of Saturday morning, he anticipated beginning a new chapter in his life. The UK-based fitness influencer had traveled with plans to relocate his coaching business and obtain residency in the city.
However, within 24 hours of his arrival, Bailey found himself witnessing Iranian missile attacks targeting some of the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) most exclusive and iconic neighborhoods.
"That was metres away from us," he said in a video posted to Instagram, showing thick plumes of dark smoke rising near Fairmont the Palm, one of Dubai's most prestigious hotels located in the luxurious Palm Jumeirah.
Bailey described being deeply shaken by the incident, which authorities reported caused a fire injuring four people.
Regional Tensions Escalate
On Saturday, Iran launched missile strikes towards the UAE and other Gulf states in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks on its territory. The missile strikes have persisted into Monday, with one confirmed fatality in the UAE.
"Since this happened, everything changed," Bailey told . "Now we are in the middle of all of this chaos that is going on."
"I am not sure what the plans are; I don't know if I will stay here or I will go back to the UK. I just don't know," he added, expressing uncertainty about proceeding with his residency plans amid the conflict.
Dubai's Image Under Strain
For years, Dubai has been known as a glamorous and attractive destination for expatriates seeking business opportunities and travel. It has also been regarded as a safe haven in a region marked by instability.
However, recent scenes of destruction have caused some, including Bailey, to question whether the ideal of Dubai as a secure and prosperous city remains viable.
Since the attacks began, other influencers have voiced their shock and concern over the situation.
Posting on social media, former Love Island contestant Arabella Chi, who resides in Dubai, described the period as "a very scary time."
British model and influencer Petra Ecclestone commented: "We came to Dubai to feel safe, and we finally felt like we were settling in, and now this has happened."
Varied Perspectives Among Residents
Conversely, some believe the situation has been exaggerated.
Hofit Golan, a Canadian-Israeli influencer who identifies as a TV personality and entrepreneur, acknowledged that "the first day of the war was a shock," but noted that "money is flowing in and [the attacks] showed Dubai's air defences are strong."
The 40-year-old reported visiting a mall on Monday, observing that although the atmosphere was "a bit subdued," it remained busy.
"Life goes on," she told the BBC.
Another Dubai resident, Afsha Farooqui, expressed that despite the ongoing situation, she did not feel unsafe in the city.
"I feel safe in Dubai despite what is going on. It's natural to feel concern but day to day, schools are open, and families are out," she said.
"We don't live in fear," added the 34-year-old food blogger originally from India.
Government and Public Sentiment
Criticism of the government is prohibited in the UAE. Many influencers have posted messages praising the government, emphasizing that there is no cause for alarm and affirming the effectiveness of the missile defence systems.
Although most missiles have been intercepted, the damage to iconic buildings and the widespread circulation of images depicting destruction may cause some to question the viability of living in Dubai.
Expert Analysis on Impact
The image of Dubai as a prosperous and modern city "is now being punctured," said Yasser Elsheshtawy, professor of architecture at Columbia University, in an interview with the BBC.
"When you begin to see plumes of smoke rising in the city and sounds of explosion in some of the most exclusive places," it "shatters that image of Dubai as this haven of security and safety," said Elsheshtawy, who lived in Dubai for 20 years.
"It will suffer for years to come," he added.
Karen Young, senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, noted that Iran's targeting of civilian and tourist infrastructure was unprecedented.
"I think for many people it just seemed impossible that the tourist infrastructure would ever be targeted in such a way, so it's kind of pierced the facade of safety," said Young, who previously lived in Dubai for six years.
She further explained that Dubai's population is diverse, comprising individuals from various backgrounds. While some are part of the city's glamorous image, many others do not fit that stereotype.
"I think a lot of people are rightly afraid, and many people, particularly from the region, are in Dubai because they've escaped war somewhere else."
Additional reporting by Ethar Shalaby.
