As the ongoing conflict in the Middle East escalates, the Louvre Museum’s priceless art pieces have been saved from destruction in Abu Dhabi. The world-renowned museum, which is the only branch of the Louvre outside of France, has been under threat since February 28, with Iran launching nearly 18,000 drone and missile attacks.
According to Arab media, the Louvre Museum, which opened in Abu Dhabi in 2017, has managed to remain safe despite the intense bombardment. The museum’s art pieces were initially scheduled to be transferred to a French base, but due to the Iranian attacks, they were moved to a French warehouse for safety.
The French military base in Abu Dhabi was severely damaged in the attacks, forcing American forces to evacuate their regional bases and take refuge in two secret locations. The art pieces were eventually moved to the French warehouse, where they remain safe.
The French Ministry of Culture has confirmed that they are in constant contact with the authorities in the United Arab Emirates to ensure the safety of the valuable artifacts. The agreement between France and the UAE, signed in 2021, has been extended until 2047, with an additional 165 million euros paid as part of the deal.
The Louvre Museum’s building is designed to withstand security threats and natural disasters, but the current war situation has raised concerns. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized the importance of prioritizing security, with all stakeholders working together to address the crisis.
Meanwhile, Iranian forces have announced that they will target two American or Israeli universities in the region. The Iranian media has accused the US and Israel of launching an air attack on a residential area, resulting in civilian casualties. Shohreh Ahdout, an Iranian actress, has warned that if the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln enters Iran’s missile range, it will be targeted.
According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, the attacks have resulted in the deaths of eight civilians, including four Pakistanis, and 178 injuries. An Israeli missile has also struck the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera office in Tehran.
The Israeli military has confirmed the death of a 22-year-old soldier, who was part of the Paratroopers Brigade’s 890th Battalion. An investigation is underway, with local authorities working together to determine the cause of the incident.
As the conflict escalates, the US is reportedly preparing for possible ground troops to be deployed in Iran for several weeks. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, officials are considering ways to retrieve $20 billion in assets held by Pakistanis in the Middle East and Europe.
In a separate development, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Islamabad for a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting is expected to discuss the recent developments in the region and explore ways to retrieve Pakistani assets from the Middle East and Europe.
As the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate, world leaders are scrambling to respond to the crisis. The Pakistani government has announced plans to launch a crackdown on drivers who operate vehicles without licenses.
