Canadians in Persian Gulf say they are living by the grace of missile defence systems

Blanka Calibaba, a Canadian who has been in the United Arab Emirates for the last 13 years, starts to explain what it's like living in the middle of an air war when a government text interrupts her train of thought. 

"Right now I'm seeing a message on my phone: 'Due to the current situation, potential missile threats. Seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building and to steer away from windows, doors and open areas,'" she said. 

Calibaba says that when Iran began targeting Persian Gulf states on Saturday, the U.A.E.'s emergency mobile alert system was sending her regular warnings. Since then, they have been less frequent. 

On Tuesday she said she received three government warnings. When they arrive she stays away from the window of her apartment in Abu Dhabi and takes shelter in a room where she can close the door. When the threat passes, she gets another text message.

Over the past week she says she has come to recognize the sound of a missile being blown up, and says it no longer worries her. 

"I feel like even though right now we're in an unfortunate situation, the government is working very hard to keep us safe," she said. "And if you read the numbers, how many missiles they took down, it's incredible."

The only real threat she is worried about, she says, is being hit from falling debris once a missile has been taken out. But as long as she's indoors, she feels safe.

Allison Furlong, from St. Brendan's, N.L., shared a similar experience from Qatar.

"There's been lots of missiles, but they've been intercepted," Furlong said. "Initially there were missiles being intercepted almost on the hour … you would hear loud noises, loud booms overhead."

Furlong has lived in the capital of Doha for the past 12 years. She describes it as a place so safe people do not lock their doors and can be assured if they leave their wallet or purse somewhere they can return hours later to find it untouched.

Since Iran started targeting U.S. military assets in the country following American and Israeli airstrikes, Doha has continued to operate with what she describes as a "COVID-19 vibe" where foot and vehicle traffic is dramatically reduced and retail outlets remain open with restrictions. 

Those booms overhead have almost become routine. 

"It's crazy how you can sort of just become somewhat used to it," she said. "Every noise that you hear, you kind of stop and you think, oh, is that a missile? You're always kind of on alert, you know, but the first couple of days were the worst."

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said that as of Monday the number of Canadian citizens registering their presence in the Middle East increased to more than 97,000 from 85,000 the previous day.