Chongqing - The persistent buzz of phone alerts, colleagues breaking down in tears, and a night without sleep — this was how Liu Yang remembers the hours after the strikes began.

Following military attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, Iran responded with drone and missile strikes across the Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On March 1, Bridging News spoke with Liu, a Chongqing native who lives and works in the UAE. He was in his office, just a short distance from Abu Dhabi International Airport, when the first strikes were reported.