Students in Dubai return to online learning after attack

Michelle Figredo, 16, sat at her home-desk during an online lesson on Tuesday (May 5), as students in Dubai returned to remote learning following drone and missile attack on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday evening (May 4).

Shortly after the attack, UAE's ministry of education announced the implementation of distance learning from Tuesday until Friday (May 8) across all public and private schools nationwide, adding that the period may be extended if necessary.

Figredo said she was surprised by Monday's emergency alert - usually sent by UAE authorities to warn of potential missile threats - after what she described as "calm period".

She added how the news was disappointing as she misses the social interaction gained from being in a school environment.

School principal Chitra Sharma said she wished the world would "see sense" and "diplomacy and dialogue comes into picture".

Later on Monday, the UAE's interior ministry said people could resume their normal activities "while continuing to remain cautious and take the necessary precautions."

Less than half an hour earlier, a phone alert had asked residents to immediately seek a safe place and await further instructions.

It was the first such alert issued by the authorities since early April.

The attack shattered a period of relative calm in the region since a Pakistani-mediated ceasefire between Washington and Tehran took effect on April 8, pausing more than a month of intense fighting in the Gulf region.

Production: Rula Rouhana, Imad Creidi, Reim Nahaboo/Reuters