Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles has confirmed that all Australian personnel stationed at the Al Minhad airbase in the United Arab Emirates are safe and accounted for following a drone strike over the weekend. This incident occurred amidst escalating regional tensions, marked by various military actions and retaliatory strikes across the Middle East.
Marles reported that over 100 Australian personnel are deployed across the Middle East, with the UAE base typically hosting between 50 and 80 core Australian Defence Force (ADF) staff. He also highlighted efforts by the UAE to facilitate safe flight operations and provide support, including accommodation and meals, for Australians experiencing travel disruptions.
In a separate development, Coalition frontbencher Andrew Hastie offered a critical assessment of the global security landscape, stating that the concept of a "rules-based order" is no longer relevant, and that those who believe it still exists are living in a "fantasyland."
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/03/andrew-hastie-fantasyland-australian-troops-uae-al-minhad-air-base
