Jersey man in Dubai assured after 'scary 36 hours'

A Jersey man has said he still feels "confident" about having moved to Dubai following the launch of missiles in the Middle East.

Several countries in the region have been hit by retaliatory strikes after US and Israeli airstrikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Ryan Hodgson, from Jersey, said he moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) six months ago with his wife and daughters and was "grateful to call it home".

Speaking about the developments, Hodgson said: "Friday, we had such a nice evening; mad to think less than 24 hours later we'd be in the centre of a war."

Israel and the US launched an attack against Iran on Saturday.

Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies across the region, targeting: Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Writing on social media, Hodgson said his family had barely slept after "hearing things flying overhead... and loud noises that literally shake the house".

"All that matters is your health, happiness and family, everything else is downstream," he said.

"We're safe, we're grateful and we're holding our girls a little tighter right now. I just wish I could take their fear away completely.

"My thoughts are with those closer to it, those injured those who have lost loved ones.

"I love the UAE. I have faith in the leadership and the military here, and in the people working hard to resolve this quickly."

Hodgson said his family moved to Dubai for its opportunities, growth, beauty and culture.

"I was interviewed and asked a question: 'Has what's happened made you think moving back would be a safer option?'

"The last 36 hours have been scary. Very scary for us, for our girls, for our loved ones watching from afar, for anyone seeing the headlines and the incredible community here but perspective matters.

"We get to live in what is day-to-day one of the safest places in the world here in Dubai, in a country with one of the most advanced defence systems globally, the UAE forces and the powers that be which protected its residents the last 48 hours and will continue to do so."

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