UAE battles tanker oil spill as war's environmental toll mounts
Gulf oil spills have become more frequent since the beginning of the US-Israel-Iran war on Feb. 28.
The United Arab Emirates is working to contain an oil spill from a tanker off its coast as maritime analysts warn that the slick could threaten ports and desalination infrastructure in the northern emirates.
What happened: The UAE Climate Ministry said in an X post Friday that it had detected the spill off Umm Al Quwain, north of Dubai, and began containment, cleanup and environmental assessments.
Maritime intelligence company Windward had identified a leaking tanker about 25 kilometers (15 miles) offshore earlier in the week. Its model projected that currents would carry the oil southwest toward Sharjah and Ajman, potentially reaching desalination intakes and ports if the leak was not stopped. There has been no confirmation that the spill has disrupted those facilities.
The ministry temporarily closed all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain until technical teams complete assessments and decide on safety and marine protection measures. Coastal surveys and monitoring are continuing to assess the environmental impact.
