- Iranian drones and missile continue to bombard Gulf cities and US and coalition sites in the region
- The IDF launched an “enhanced forward defence posture” into southern Lebanon this morning
- The tactical move will establish a defensive buffer zone to enable ongoing strikes and monitoring
Update 3 March (14.34) – Following the delayed entry of the Iran-backed paramilitary group Hezbollah in the conflict yesterday (2 March), the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) deployed a forward presence group (FPG) into southern Lebanon this morning.
This tactical move will establish a defensive buffer aimed to prevent infiltration, allow mointoring and observation, and enable strikes inside the country.
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The FPG will coincide with targeted strikes against Hezbollah’s infrastructure. On 2 March, prior to FPG deployment, the Lebanese Health Ministry stated Israel conducted airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon resulting in the deaths of 31 citizens and injuries to 149 others.
“Hezbollah chose to attack Israel on behalf of the Iranian regime, and it will bear the consequences of its actions”, the IDF said in a post on the social media platfrom X.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) noted the crossing of Israeli soldiers into Lebanese areas near Markaba, Al Adeisse, Kfar Kela and Ramyah. UNIFIL reiterated its calls for deescalation, and maintained that its peacekeepers continue to carry out their mandated tasks “despite extremely challenging conditions.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________Update 3 March (09:15)- Qatar’s Ministry of Defense has claimed that fighters of the Qatar Emeri Air Force (QEAF) shot down two Su-24 aircraft inbound to Qatar from the direction of Iran on 2 March.
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By GlobalDataThe Ministry added that seven ballistic missiles had been intercepted by ground-based air defence system, and five drones, likely of the Shahed-type, had been destroyed by QEAF and Qatar Emeri Navy Forces platforms.
Meanwhile Saudi Arabia said on 3 March that eight Iranian drones had been shot down near the cities of Riyadh and Al-Kharj. The US embassy in Riyadh was struck by two drones, causing some damage.
US and Israeli forces continued their assault on Iranian military positions overnight.
However, CENTCOM stated that as of 4pm eastern time on 2 March, the number of US fatalities since 28 February had risen to six service personnel.
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The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) acknowledged an Iranian drone attack against RAF Akrotiri, a British military air base in Cyprus this morning, at midnight local time. There were no casualties.
Since then, an MoD spokesperson has said that “force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people.”
It is understood that the MoD has moved additional capabilities to bases in Cyprus as part of its ongoing work to support security and stability in the Middle East.
These capabilities are solely focused on defensive measures, mainly detecting and defeating airborne threats. They include radar systems, counter-drone systems, F-35 jets, and ground-based air defence.
“This is a live situation and further information will be provided in due course,” the spokesperson concluded.
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The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defence has confirmed that “several” US military aircraft “crashed” over its territory this morning, while assuring the safety of their crews. Joint investigations are ongoing.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has just published additional details confirming the incident, adding that three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were indeed shot down while contributing to the ongoing US-Israeli strike campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury.
CENTCOM maintained that the crash was “due to an apparent friendly fire incident.”
During active combat – including attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones – the US Air Force fighters were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences.
All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition.
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The UK has cited “collective self-defence” among its reasoning for its response to waves of Iranian drone and missile attacks in the Middle East, which follows the start of a US-Israeli bombing campaign on 28 February across Islamic regime sites in Iran.
While UK air assets have not been involved in direct strikes on Iran, deployed airborne capabilities are tasked with securing key UK military sites in the Middle East region.
On 1 March, an RAF Typhoon multirole fighter operating as part of a joint UK-Qatari squadron intercepted an Iranian drone heading for the territory of Qatar.
In a statement, the UK Government said the Typhoon was conducting a “defensive air patrol” and used an air-to-air missile to shoot down the Iranian drone.
US and allied military sites in the region, as well as indiscriminate strikes on cities such as Dubai, Doha, Duqm, Manama, and others, have been reported over the weekend, with Iran utilising the Shahed loitering munition extensively.
Similar usage is typical of Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine, which is now licence building Iran’s Shahed under the name ‘Geran’.
Airforce Technology spoke with residents in Dubai, who said they have been told to shelter in place. While air raid sirens are not active across the city, messages are being broadcast over the city’s mobile networks.
One resident on 2 March said he was “hunkering down” and that he had regularly heard “loud thumps” from inbound strikes.
It is not known whether these are a result of interceptions from the UAE overworked air defence network, or Iranian drone striking their targets.
UK military on high alert in Middle East
The UK military is on high alert with its military sites in the Middle East vulnerable from Iranian drones and missiles. Military personnel have reportedly been within “a few hundred yards” of strikes, according to UK officials.
In addition to the joint UK-Qatari Typhoon squadron providing air cover for Qatar, the UK maintains a small network of military installations across the region, including the mostly defunct Naval Support Facility in Mina Salman in Bahrain, and the British Army training centre housed as Duqm in Oman.
Reports circulated that a UK military counter-UAS team downed an Iranian drone heading for a coalition base in Iraq, where British personnel were deployed.
Iranian missiles were also reported to have been intercepted in the region of Cyprus, the site of one of the last remaining UK strategic overseas military bases.
The UK Government, which has opted not to participate in the US-Israeli strikes, have now acceded to US requests to allow its air bases to be used to support them, including assets based in Cyprus and the Diego Garcia site in the Indian Ocean.
