NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has condemned missile strikes targeting American military bases in the Gulf, warning that the widening Middle East conflict poses a serious threat to international peace and stability.
His remarks follow retaliatory attacks by Iran after coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory over the weekend.
Iranian missiles and drones targeted several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, significantly broadening the scope of hostilities.
In a statement on Monday, Ruto described the regional expansion of the conflict as deeply concerning and called for urgent diplomatic engagement.
“At this defining and perilous moment in global history, longstanding multilateral institutions remain indispensable frameworks for the resolution of the current crisis in the Middle East,” Ruto said.
Casualties and military impact
Authorities in the UAE reported that two people were killed in Abu Dhabi, including a Pakistani civilian. The country’s defence ministry said 137 missiles and 209 drones were launched toward its territory on Saturday.
Residents in Dubai reported hearing explosions and seeing missiles streak across the night sky. Smoke was also seen rising near The Palm, the city’s man-made island. At least four people were injured, according to local officials.
Qatar’s defence ministry said it intercepted multiple missiles aimed at the Gulf state.
In Iraq, two people were killed in air strikes on a military base hosting the pro-Iran armed group Kataeb Hezbollah, which later warned of further retaliation against US interests.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also signalled moves to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint through which a significant share of the world’s oil and gas exports transit. Any sustained disruption could have immediate implications for global energy markets.
International response
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session to address the escalating violence. Iran’s envoy accused the US and Israel of committing a possible “war crime” by striking civilian targets.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that continued military escalation risked spiralling beyond control.
Military analysts note that the conflict’s regionalisation significantly raises the stakes, potentially drawing in additional state and non-state actors across the Middle East.
Aviation disruptions
The crisis has also triggered widespread disruption to global air travel, the most significant since the Covid-19 pandemic, as airlines suspend or reroute flights through affected airspace.
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the UAE announced partial airspace closures following the strikes.
Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, has suspended flights to Dubai and Sharjah until further notice, citing security concerns.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi issued a travel and safety advisory urging Kenyan citizens in or transiting through the Middle East to exercise extreme caution.
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He advised nationals to avoid non-essential movement, particularly near military installations and crowded public spaces, and to adhere strictly to instructions from local security authorities.
The expansion of hostilities across multiple Gulf states marks a critical juncture in the Middle East conflict.
Analysts warn that further missile exchanges or disruptions to maritime trade routes could intensify economic volatility, particularly in energy markets.
President Ruto’s call for renewed multilateral engagement underscores Kenya’s support for diplomatic resolution and adherence to international law amid rising geopolitical instability.
With regional tensions still high, diplomatic efforts in the coming days may prove decisive in preventing a wider confrontation.
