UAE tennis tournament suspended after drone interception sparks fire

"Play in the Fujairah Challenger event in Fujairah, a city on the UAE's eastern Gulf coast, was suspended in line with established security protocols, before being cancelled for the remainder of the day. Following consultation with local authorities and security advisors, play has been cancelled for the remainder of the day as a precautionary measure, the ATP said in a statement."

"I just finished my match in Fujairah, second round, but the play is suspended for today, Ukrainian player Vladyslav Orlov said on Instagram. When I was playing, I heard the sound of the jets flying here and there. And there is smoke here, next to the mountain, so not very safe here right now."

"Iran has launched missiles and drones at several countries around the Middle East in response to US-Israeli attacks that have killed at least 787 people across Iran since Saturday, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. The Iranian attacks have increasingly targeted oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf, prompting concerns about disruptions to global energy markets."

The Fujairah Challenger ATP tennis tournament in the United Arab Emirates was interrupted and cancelled following a security alert related to Iranian military operations in the Gulf region. Falling debris from an intercepted drone caused a fire in an oilfield approximately 15 kilometers from the tournament venue. Play was suspended in accordance with established security protocols, with the ATP cancelling matches for the remainder of the day as a precautionary measure following consultation with local authorities and security advisors. Players reported hearing military jets and observing smoke near the venue. The Iranian strikes were launched in response to US-Israeli attacks, with Iran targeting oil and gas infrastructure across the Gulf region, raising concerns about global energy market disruptions.

Read at www.aljazeera.com