The SA couple has tried to leave through Dubai International Airport, but their flights have been canceled every day since Sunday.
SAN ANTONIO — The Emirates is known as a safe place in a region that often sees conflict. In recent days, that image has been tested after Iran launched missiles and drones toward the United Arab Emirates in response to U.S. and Israeli military action.
We spoke with a San Antonio couple caught in the middle of the escalating tensions while vacationing in Dubai.
Dubai’s typically calm luxury hotel scene was shaken over the weekend when Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at targets across the UAE. Melissa Cliver, who lives in San Antonio’s Sonterra area with her husband, said the two arrived Feb. 21 and were scheduled to leave March 1.
“I feel as safe as one can, being in one of the safest places in the world normally,” Cliver said. “However, we do still hear explosions.”
Cliver said they have heard jets flying overhead and have stayed inside their hotel.
“Earlier today we heard jets flying over. We haven’t stepped outside,” she said.
She recalled what was supposed to be their final full day of vacation.
“Saturday, what we thought would be our last full day of vacation, we were at lunch, dining outside, and we heard two very large booms,” Cliver said. “Later that afternoon, we visibly saw an interception of what I believe was a missile or a drone.”
The attack on Iran by the United States and Israel has disrupted flights across the Middle East and beyond, as countries across the region closed their airspace or suspended flights.
Cliver said they have tried to leave through Dubai International Airport, but their flights have been canceled every day since Sunday.
“We have a standing reservation for Thursday that has not been canceled yet,” she said. “However, our tour director just sent an email minutes ago indicating that they may be able to get my husband and I out, flying to, I believe, Munich.”
Cliver said she has contacted the U.S. Embassy and reached out to Sen. Ted Cruz’s office. She was instructed to register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, known as STEP, which she and her husband have already completed.
“That’s kind of our situation,” Cliver said. “We want to go home but don’t know how to.”
Cliver said she is hopeful she and her husband will return home to San Antonio soon.