Abu Dhabi police arrested 109 people of various nationalities for filming sites and posting what authorities called "misleading information" about the ongoing West Asia conflict, marking the latest in a series of Gulf state crackdowns on war-related content. The arrests target individuals who shared footage or information about Iran's attacks on U.S. assets and civilian infrastructure across the region.
Police announced the arrests Friday, stating that those detained had "filmed sites and incidents and circulated incorrect information via social media platforms during current events," with some sharing what officials termed "misleading information."
"Such actions are liable to incite public opinion and spread rumors among members of the community," Abu Dhabi police said in a statement posted on X.
The UAE attorney-general has separately ordered arrests of 35 people for publishing misinformation, filming incidents related to the war, or glorifying what authorities describe as "a hostile state and its political and military leadership."
The crackdown extends across the Gulf region, where Iran has targeted both military assets and civilian infrastructure including landmarks, oil and gas facilities, airports and residential areas. Qatar authorities have arrested more than 300 people for sharing images and what they described as "misleading information" during the conflict, while Bahrain and Kuwait have implemented similar measures.
The scope of what constitutes "misleading" information remains broadly defined in the UAE's enforcement actions. Authorities have not specified detailed criteria for determining when social media posts cross from legitimate reporting into prohibited content, raising questions about the boundaries of acceptable information sharing during the conflict.
The arrests reflect the complex information environment Gulf states navigate during the conflict. While officials cite concerns about public order and preventing rumors that could incite panic, the broad nature of the enforcement actions encompasses individuals documenting attacks and their aftermath.
Regional governments face mounting pressure to control narratives around the conflict as Iran's attacks have struck civilian targets alongside military installations. The UAE's position as a major international business hub and tourism destination adds economic considerations to security concerns about information flow during the crisis.
The coordination across Gulf states suggests a regional strategy for managing war-related information, with similar arrest patterns emerging in Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. This synchronized approach indicates shared concerns among Gulf Cooperation Council members about information security during the escalating conflict.
The Iranian attacks have created unprecedented challenges for Gulf state governments balancing transparency with security concerns. As civilian infrastructure continues to be targeted, the question of what information serves public safety versus what authorities consider destabilizing remains a point of tension in the region's information landscape.