Teacher's shock as he saw Iran missiles 'explode in sky'

Iran attacked a US airbase near the Qatari capital on Monday

A man who is teaching in Qatar has described his shock as he sat in his apartment and felt his windows rattle after Iran launched missiles at a US military base.

Iran said Monday's attack was in retaliation for US strikes against its nuclear sites over the weekend.

Kevin Donaghy, who is originally from Ballycastle, County Antrim, said he was "sitting watching the TV, then all of a sudden there were three loud bangs and the windows started to rattle".

He then went to the street to see what was happening and said "you could see the intercepting missiles being shot up into the sky".

Kevin Donaghy is teaching in Qatar and lives in the capital Doha

Mr Donaghy told BBC News NI some of the air defences hit the missiles.

"You could feel the explosions and you could actually then smell a really different type of smell as well," he said.

Iranian missiles targeted the largest US military base in the Middle East, Al-Udeid.

About 8,000 US citizens are based there, according to the State Department, and it is home to the US military's headquarters for all its air operations in the region.

Some British military personnel also serve at the base on rotation.

The Qatari government said no-one had been killed or injured in the attack, and that the base had been evacuated beforehand.

Mr Donaghy said he was surprised the attack had happened "so early on in the evening time".

"I know the American and British governments have said for everybody to take shelter, but really 'take shelter' is a stay at home order, so that's what most people are actually doing," he added.

"Whenever you look out the window, life does seem to be going on as normal, but whenever it [the attack] was actually happening, there were people running out of their houses looking up at the sky, wondering what was going on."

'Rockets flying overhead'

Michael Brady, who is originally from west Belfast, also witnessed the attack in Qatar on Monday

Qatar Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) chairman, Michael Brady, who is originally from west Belfast, also witnessed the attack as he was driving home with his wife.

He said that before they got home they "heard these loud bangs, explosions, and we then saw the rockets flying overhead".

"Unfortunately we are on the flightpath towards the [military] base from Iran, so we had a clear view of everything flying over the top of our house," he told BBC News NI.

"The local systems that Qatar has, these air defence systems, they came into play, they would automatically take out these other rockets on their way in.

"The problem with that, is that the explosions where they both meet each other, are above the residential area where we are living, so we could hear bits of shrapnel dropping around us.

"It was quite an experience I have to say."

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump warned Israel against launching further attacks on Iran, hours after he said a ceasefire between the two sides had taken effect.

Mr Brady has lived in Qatar for 10 years and said while there was some apprehension, he did not see a "panic in people's mindset".

"I do think people see themselves being here, after this, assuming that ceasefires hold and things calm down over the summer."

UK and Irish government advice

The UK government has lifted advice for its citizens in Qatar to shelter in place.

Ahead of the Iranian attack, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had issued the warning "until further notice".

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is "advising all Irish citizens in Qatar to exercise caution, monitor local and international media, follow the advice of local authorities, and observe any additional security measures imposed during this time, including any orders to shelter in place".

"With airport disruptions anticipated in both Qatar and the UAE, Irish citizens are advised to contact their airline for updates prior to travel.

"Irish citizens in need of assistance should contact the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi at [phone] or call the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at [phone]."

The department added that in "light of the current situation, Irish citizens in the region are encouraged to register on our citizens registration".

It also said it had updated its travel advice for Qatar.