The Foreign Office said the UK has withdrawn the dependents of embassy staff in the United Arab Emirates 'as a precautionary measure' as attacks continue across the Middle East

The UK has "temporarily" sent home the families of its embassy staff in Dubai as a safety precaution amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

In an update to its travel advice, the Foreign Office said: "Due to the ongoing security situation, as a precautionary measure we have decided to temporarily withdraw the dependents of British Embassy staff from the United Arab Emirates. Our embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai continue to operate as normal."

The move comes after the UAE was rocked by explosions in multiple Iranian strikes on Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other cities in recent days. The Emirati military said today that "air defences successfully intercepted Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones".

As of March 9, four people have been killed and 117 have been inured in the UAE, according to official figures. The country has seen more than 1,500 drone and missile attacks since February 28, "exceeding the combined total of attacks suffered by all other targeted countries".

The UAE's Ministry of Defence said around 94% of these were intercepted. The remaining drones either fell into the sea or into the country's territory, it added.

British fighter jets are now conducting defensive operations in support of the UAE - having already shot down two drones heading towards Jordan and Bahrain. The UK is also carrying out defensive air sorties in support of the UAE, the Ministry of Defence revealed on X.

With flights still suspended across the UAE, more British nationals are due to leave the country a government-chartered flight today, "subject to the situation on the ground". More than 37,000 British nationals have already returned from the Middle East to the UK since March 1.

UAE ambassador to the UN, Jamal Jama al Musharakh called for "de-escalation" in the region as Iran continues to launch strikes. The ambassador told reporters in Genevia: "De-escalation, de-escalation, de-escalation. This is a standing position we have, and we will continue to offer that."

He also stressed the UAE will "not partake in any attacks against Iran" despite being targeted "in a very unwarranted manner".

Al Musharakh told reporters: "We've been very clear before and leading up to the current events we are witnessing in the region that as the UAE, we will not partake in any attacks against Iran from our territory, and that we will not be involved in such a conflict."