Newfoundlander in Qatar describes 'surreal' moment watching Iranian missile interception

A Newfoundland woman living in the Middle East says watching an Iranian missile get intercepted and explode while flying overhead was a "surreal" moment for her.

On Monday, Iran targeted Al Udeid airbase, a facility in Qatar that serves as a main regional military hub for American armed forces. It was in retaliation to U.S. attacks on the country's nuclear sites over the weekend.

Allison Furlong, originally from St. Brendan's and now living in northern Doha, Qatar, witnessed that retaliatory effort.

"I couldn't help but think about the people that are in war-torn countries, you know, and people in Gaza and other places that you know, this is their reality every day," she told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show on Tuesday.

Monday had been an average day, she said, but around noon a few American friends told her they had received word to shelter in place. She said people went home, and then in the evening she got an alert on her phone that an attack was imminent.

"The airspace at this point had been closed. And then about five minutes later, we just heard a really large, like, really loud boom," Furlong said.

"Kind of like in the movies when a bomb goes off."

Looking outside, Furlong said she could see sparks in the air where the missile had been intercepted.

"It was quite the display. If you didn't know better you would think it was probably fireworks or something," she said.

Furlong said it's somewhat comforting to know there is a missile defence system in place, adding there are people in Gaza who have nothing and are just left waiting for the next bomb to drop.

The U.S. airbase that was the intended target is about 25 kilometres southwest of Doha, she said, so people closer to the area felt more of the impact.

"Everybody could definitely hear and see most of it," said Furlong.

'Isolated incident'

Days out from the attack, she said life has carried on in Doha, with people heading back at work.

And despite the attack aimed at Qatar, she said the two countries have a close relationship and Iran has reiterated it wasn't an attack on Qatar but the U.S. airbase.

"I think everybody sort of believes that it's an isolated incident," said Furlong.

Qatar's foreign affairs ministry said the attack was "a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty, its airspace, and international law."

Furlong said she likes living in Qatar and has been there for more than a decade.

"I really enjoy the lifestyle here. There's lots of opportunity for travel. It's an incredibly safe place," she said.

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