Islamic world marks Eid under fire as war engulfs Middle East

2026-03-21 - 11:10

Sernur Yassıkaya / Chief Foreign News Editor of Yeni Şafak The Middle East entered the Eid holiday under the shadow of relentless bombardment, as a conflict sparked by US-Israeli strikes on Iran three weeks ago has spiraled into a regional conflagration spanning from the Gulf to the Levant. For millions, this Eid brings no celebration—only the sounds of air raid sirens, exploding munitions, and the struggle for survival. In occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli forces kept Al-Aqsa Mosque sealed for the holiday, preventing worshippers from gathering at Islam’s third holiest site for the first time since 1967. Gulf states become frontline targets What began as a campaign against Tehran has swiftly drawn in Gulf nations hosting American military assets. Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates now find themselves in Iran’s crosshairs, facing repeated drone and missile barrages. Critical energy infrastructure has been hit repeatedly; following a strike on Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility, liquefied natural gas output reportedly fell by 17 percent. Air defense systems across the region operate almost continuously, with residents describing night skies lit more by interceptions than stars. Iran’s cities endure relentless strikes Tehran, Isfahan, and Tabriz have suffered heavy bombardment since the war’s outset. Military installations, intelligence headquarters, and civilian infrastructure—including schools and health centers—have been targeted. Iran’s Red Crescent reported at least 201 dead and 747 wounded in the first days alone, though tolls have since climbed to several thousand, according to various sources. In the capital, explosions near residential areas have paralyzed daily life, while electricity and communications networks have sustained significant damage. Holy sites under threat Saudi Arabia, custodian of Islam’s holiest cities Mecca and Medina, has been forced to raise security to its highest level. Though Riyadh has not formally entered the conflict, its critical role in global energy markets and its proximity to the fighting have made it a sensitive target. Meanwhile, Iraq teeters on the brink of renewed civil war, with daily attacks pitting Iranian-backed groups against US forces in Baghdad and Erbil. Syria has also seen intensified Israeli strikes, particularly in the south, as the occupation state exploits the broader war to expand its territorial grip. In Lebanon, nearly one million people have been displaced by Israeli operations in the south, straining a country already paralyzed by economic collapse. Economic devastation and global fallout The war has delivered profound economic shocks. Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted, driving up global energy prices. Analysts warn that sustained conflict could trigger a new wave of inflation and, according to UN estimates, push an additional 45 million people into hunger. The financial cost of three weeks of fighting already exceeds tens of billions of dollars. No end in sight Diplomatic efforts have stalled as mutual threats escalate. US and Israeli leaders have vowed to eliminate Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, while Tehran has warned it could target Israel’s Dimona reactor. With no ceasefire talks underway and military preparations continuing on all sides, the region faces an open-ended war. For millions of Muslims, this Eid has become a grim testament to a landscape set ablaze. Türkiye has continued to urge restraint and offer humanitarian support, warning that the conflict’s spillover threatens its own borders and regional stability.