Explosions rocked Doha on Monday evening as Iran fired a volley of missiles at the US Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, signaling the beginning of its anticipated retaliation following recent American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
According to Reuters, multiple loud blasts were heard across the Qatari capital, while Iranian state broadcaster IRIB announced the launch of “Operation Basharat al-Fath,” claiming successful missile strikes on US military positions within Qatar.
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Videos circulating on social media captured the dramatic scenes of missiles streaking across the sky, with air defense systems intercepting several above central Doha.
Just hours before the attack, Qatari authorities took the rare step of suspending all air traffic over the country, citing safety concerns for citizens, residents, and visitors. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the decision a precaution in response to “regional developments” and confirmed close coordination with international partners.
The US Embassy in Doha issued a “shelter-in-place” advisory for American nationals, anticipating potential Iranian action. The Pentagon confirmed that Al-Udeid Air Base—America’s largest military installation in the Middle East, housing nearly 10,000 personnel—had been placed on high alert.
Aviation Chaos as Qatar Shuts Down Airspace
The sudden closure of Qatar’s airspace, a critical link between Europe, Asia, and Africa, caused immediate disruption to international air travel.
Qatar Airways was forced to ground much of its fleet, while flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed dozens of incoming flights to Hamad International Airport rerouted to destinations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
Passengers found themselves stranded or redirected mid-journey. Among them was NBS Television journalist Julius Kitone, who had his return flight from Germany via Doha cancelled due to the lockdown. Another Ugandan reporter attending a tourism conference in Doha was also caught up in the shutdown shortly after arriving.
“This kind of airspace closure—especially in Qatar—has massive global implications,” said Gulf-based aviation analyst Martin Heller. “It’s a vital aviation hub connecting East and West. Even a brief disruption creates a ripple effect of delays, reroutes, and missed flights worldwide.”
Major carriers across Africa and the Middle East, including Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, RwandAir, Emirates, Saudia, and Oman Air, were among those forced to adjust flight paths, resulting in higher fuel usage and increased operational expenses.
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