Ever wondered why your phone didn’t buzz while military operations were taking place in the UAE as air defences engaged with aerial threats? The UAE’s EWS is geolocation-based, so whether or not residents receive sirens depends on where they are when the incident occurs.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) said in a video message that the system helps deliver alerts quickly, focused on a specific area. The alerts are not issued equally across the country but geographically targeted. This warning system is an essential preventive mechanism providing immediate notification to the population and reinforcing national preparedness during emergencies.

“The national early warning system is geographic in nature. Alerts are sent only to the relevant areas according to the position of the hazard, type of hazard and scope of effect,” said an animated video message.

The authority also responded to the public confusion that came from some areas receiving alerts about threats while others did not, saying this is by design and not a failure of the system.

“It is possible for some areas to receive missile-related alerts that may not apply in other areas, as the incident does not directly affect them. Alert receipt may differ also depending on the device’s location at the time (the alert) is issued and on emergency alert settings.”

People living in neighboring areas may still hear sound reverberations from destinations hit by missile attacks, even if they have not received alerts, NCEMA said, emphasizing that this "does not indicate a malfunction of the system".

First of all, it is not an indicator that the warning mechanism does not work, rather this shows the accuracy of how the alerts system is managed, i.e. it only pings those places in high alert that are needed to be warned on time.

The authority stated that the warning system aims to provide reliable and timely information during emergencies, emphasizing the significance of seeking information only while maintaining awareness in times of crisis.

In early March, the UAE made changes to its public warning notification system — how residents are alerted during emergencies. The NCEMA has said the change was meant to make alerts clearer and more suitable for the time of day.

The alert tone will no longer just be a loud siren, and it will vary based on timing with two different notification modes introduced:

• From 9am to 10.30pm: Current high tone for alert along with a standard text message tone for end of alert.

• From 10.30pm to 9am: Standard text message tone for both alert and standard end of alert.

The alarms are sounded in the event of what they call "potential missile threats" stemming from continued Iranian aggression, and tell residents to take cover in the closest fortified structure, stay away from windows, doors and open spaces for an indefinite time until government directives follow.

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