"It felt like war was just around the corner." A Stranded Hong Kong Resident in Dubai Recounted His Harrowing Experience

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated dramatically, with the conflict reaching Dubai. Edward, a Hong Kong resident originally scheduled to return to Hong Kong on March 3rd, is now stranded in Dubai due to the US-Iran conflict. He recounted his harrowing experience in an interview with Bastille Post, describing how on February 28th—the first day of the official outbreak of hostilities—the sky lit up with flashes of fire as he stepped out of a restaurant, immediately followed by a long missile alert on his mobile phone. "At that moment, I truly felt that war was just around the corner," he said.

Edward, a Hong Kong resident who is now stranded in Dubai due to the US-Iran conflict, Photo by Bastille Post

Edward said that he is a member of the Rotary Club of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. Around February 25th, his traveling team, which included a racehorse owner, arrived in Dubai to participate in the pre-race practice and related activities of the Dubai Super Saturday race and cheer for the horse "SING DRAGON", which was self-funded by them for race participation. They were originally scheduled to return to Hong Kong on March 3rd. However, due to the impact of the US-Iran conflict on Dubai, Edward said that his team and accompanying personnel, including trainer Mr. So Wai Yin, jockey Mr. Karis Teetan and his family, as well as the accompanying assistance HKJC team, totaling about 26 people, are still stranded in Dubai.

Deteriorated Situation: Missile Alerts Blared

Edward recalled that on February 27th, while his team was dining near the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, they heard a loud bang, which they initially dismissed as a celebration. The next day, while at the racecourse, another explosion they heard while at the racecourse forced them to confront the truth: checking the news, they were shocked to discover that the crisis in Iran, just across the water from Dubai, had suddenly escalated.

He described how, after finishing a late-night snack, he and his team stepped out of the restaurant and witnessed three flashes of fire streak across the night sky. This was immediately followed by a continuous half-hour missile alert on their mobile phones—sent through the local telecommunications network. "At that moment, I truly felt that war was just around the corner," he said.

He noted that many people went out into the streets to observe what was happening. Back in the hotel lobby, he saw several foreign tourists becoming emotional, with some even shedding tears. "However, overall order remained relatively calm, and the hotel staff stayed composed throughout," he added.

The long missile alert on Edward's mobile phone, Photo source: offered by Edward

According to the map, Dubai is separated from Iran only by the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important strategic waterways and a bellwether for the Middle East situation. Following the outbreak of hostilities, Iranian authorities announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, creating a tense atmosphere. Edward admitted in the interview that he hadn't paid close attention to the location before his trip, and only realized how close he was to Iran once he was there.

Missile Near Burj Al Arab Jumeirah - Left Just in Time

Edward said he had heard that a missile landed near Burj Al Arab Jumeirah—not far from his own hotel, which is located near the Palm Islands. His team had visited The View at The Palm that afternoon but decided to leave early. In hindsight, he realized that if they had lingered longer, they might have witnessed the missile strike at dusk. Calling it "a bit too close for comfort," he counted himself lucky that they had left in time.

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated dramatically, with the conflict reaching Dubai. Photo source: AP News

Supermarkets Fully Stocked, No Long Queues

After the incident, Edward described that he was initially shocked, finding it hard to believe that war was happening so close to him. However, observing the calm demeanor of residents and the relatively peaceful atmosphere despite fewer vehicles on the streets, he gradually calmed down. He said that news reports indicated the attack primarily affected nearby areas, with Dubai's tourist zones unaffected. No further explosions were heard afterward, and his team's outings were limited to the shopping malls and supermarkets near the hotel, making him feel relatively safe.

Edward admitted that upon learning they were stranded, his first instinct was to "stock up on supplies." Before heading to the supermarket, he had braced himself for chaos: "In Hong Kong, even a black rainstorm can clear out supermarket shelves. I figured a war in the Middle East would be even worse—inevitable panic, supplies snapped up." Having witnessed Hong Kong residents strip stores bare during black storms and Typhoon Signal No. 10, he expected the worst.

But when he walked into the supermarket near his hotel, he was stunned by what he saw. "The entire store was fully stocked. Water, milk, bread, rice—even snacks, chocolate, meat, and fresh fish—all the shelves were piled high! Locals were shopping leisurely, no scrambling, no queues. The atmosphere was so relaxed, it felt like a normal weekend."

"The atmosphere was so relaxed at the supermarket, it felt like a normal weekend." Edward said. Photo source: offered by Edward

The long lines he had anticipated were nowhere to be seen. Instead, he witnessed an orderly scene that defied his expectations. Edward filmed the surreal sight and shared it online, where it quickly went viral—drawing amazement from many Hong Kong residents back home. At the end of the clip, he held up a long receipt, jokingly calling it his "wartime shopping list," a contrast to the calm, peaceful scene behind him.

All the shelves of the supermarket were piled high. Photo source: offered by Edward

Local Residents: Missiles Intercepted

Edward speculated that locals were either "used" to such incidents or had great confidence in the government's arrangements. While chatting with locals, an elderly lady smiled and said, "Don't worry, everything is okay." Except for supermarkets, shopping malls were all operating as usual. When he spoke with shop clerks, explaining that he needed to visit again due to being stranded, they just calmly replied, "Don't worry, there's really nothing to panic." Edward also quoted a kind reminder from local Chinese: "Actually, there have been sporadic missile attacks, but they've been intercepted in the air, and people in tourist zones might not have noticed." Seemingly "getting accustomed to the situation", they advised Edward to avoid visiting famous landmarks, lest they become potential attack targets and endanger his life.

Edward gradually calmed down after chatting with local residents. Photo source: offered by Edward

Purchased Return Tickets Promptly

Due to the closure of Dubai Airport based on the Middle East crisis, the team was unable to leave as originally planned. He stated that, fortunately, he had promptly purchased return tickets to Hong Kong through an online platform.

Some news circulating online indicated that the DCT Abu Dhabi had stated that the government would fully cover the extended accommodation costs for tourists unable to depart on time due to the airport closure, and sent letters to hotels requesting their cooperation in providing food and accommodation support to affected travelers.

The Letter from the DCT Abu Dhabi, Photo source: offered by Edward

When asked about this, Edward stated that he had checked with his hotel, and the hotel confirmed that the Dubai government would fully subsidize any additional costs incurred by stranded travelers, including accommodation, meals, and transportation. His prepaid room fees due to the trip delay will be refunded via credit card.

Reported to Chinese Embassy and Hong Kong Government

Edward said that he has proactively submitted his personal information to the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai and the Hong Kong government's WhatsApp hotline for a case report. Currently, the members of his traveling team are all safe and do not require further assistance. Edward also received a response from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, reminding them to be vigilant and providing multiple contact methods to them, including the Immigration Department and the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, etc.

On the other hand, Edward also stated that the Hong Kong Jockey Club has assigned personnel daily to monitor their situation, providing the latest flight information and other support. 

Priority: Leave Dubai ASAP

Despite the seemingly calm local conditions, Edward stressed that the risk remains ever-present, given that Dubai is separated from Iran only by the Strait of Hormuz. "The situation could change at any moment," he said. "Returning to Hong Kong as soon as possible is all that matters now."

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor was just days away from returning home to her husband and two children when a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait killed her and five other U.S. service members.

“She was almost home,” her husband, Joey Amor, said from their home in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, on Tuesday. “You don’t go to Kuwait thinking something’s going to happen, and for her to be one of the first – it hurts.”

Amor was one of four U.S. soldiers killed in the Iran war on Sunday and identified Tuesday by the Pentagon; two soldiers haven't yet been publicly identified. The members of the Army Reserve worked in logistics and kept troops supplied with food and equipment.

They died just one day after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones against Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host U.S. armed forces.

Those killed also included Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, lowa, who was posthumously promoted from specialist. No other names were released.

“These men and women all bravely volunteered to defend our country, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said.

All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, which provides food, fuel, water and ammunition, transport equipment and supplies.

“Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That’s the way it is,” President Donald Trump said of deaths.

Coady had just told his father last week that he had been recommended for a promotion from specialist to sergeant, a rank he received posthumously.

He was one of the youngest people in his class but seemed to impress his instructors, his father Andrew Coady said Tuesday.

“He was very good at what he did," he said.

Coady trained as an information technology specialist with the Army Reserves and was studying cybersecurity at Drake University in Des Moines. He was taking online classes while in Kuwait and wanted to become an officer.

“I still don’t fully think it’s real,” his sister Keira Coady said. “I just remember all of our conversations about what he was going to do when he came back.”

Amor, 39, was an avid gardener who enjoyed making salsa from the peppers and tomatoes in her garden with her son, a senior in high school. She also enjoyed rollerblading and bicycling with her fourth-grade daughter.

A week before the drone attack, Amor was moved off-base to a shipping container-style building that had no defenses, Joey Amor said.

“They were dispersing because they were in fear that the base they were on was going to get attacked and they felt it was safer in smaller groups in separate places,” he said.

He last spoke to her about two hours before she was killed. He said she was working long shifts and they had been messaging about her tripping and falling the night before.

“She just never responded in the morning,” he said.

Khork was very patriotic and drawn from a young age to serving the U.S., his family said in a statement Tuesday.

He enlisted in the Army Reserve and joined Florida Southern College’s ROTC program.

“That commitment helped shape the course of his life and reflected the deep sense of duty that was always at the core of who he was,” said his mother, Donna Burhans, father, James Khork, and stepmother, Stacey Khork, in a statement.

Khork also loved history and had a degree in political science.

His family described him as “the life of the party, known for his infectious spirit, generous heart, and deep care for those who served alongside him and for everyone blessed to know him.”

One of Khork’s friends, Abbas Jaffer, posted on Facebook on Monday that he had lost the best person he had ever known.

“My best friend, best man, and brother gave his life defending our country overseas,” Jaffer said. Khork and Jaffer had been friends for more than 16 years.

Tietjens lived with his family in the Washington Terrace mobile home park in the Omaha suburb of Bellevue with around a hundred homes. Several members of his wife’s family also live in the same community.

Tietjens was married with a son, according to a Facebook page. A photo online shows a couple with their son wearing a martial arts uniform.

Nebraska Gov. Gov. Pillen paid tribute to the family on Tuesday.

“Noah stepped up to serve and defend the American people from foreign enemies around the world — a sacrifice we must never forget," he wrote.

“We are holding the Tietjens family close in our hearts during this unbelievably difficult time and will keep them in our prayers," he said.

Boone contributed from Boise, Idaho and Toropin from Washington. Associated Press reporters Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Ed White in Detroit; Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska; David Fischer in Miami; Hallie Golden in Seattle, contributed.

Keira Coady talks about her brother, Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, outside her home, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in West Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Andrew Coady and his daughter Keira, right, talk about his son, Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, outside their home, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in West Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Keira Coady holds a photo of her brother, Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, outside her home, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in West Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Keira Coady talks about her brother, Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, outside her home, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in West Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

This image provided by U.S. Central Command shows aircraft on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) that are operating in support of the war in Iran, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (U.S. Navy via AP)