After the air strikes which have taken place all around the Middle East, Liverpool icon Graeme Souness is one of many to be trapped in the United Arab Emirates
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness gave an update on social media(Image: Getty Images Europe)
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Graeme Souness has explained how he has been left stranded in Abu Dhabi following strikes on Middle Eastern nations by Iran. The Liverpool legend posted an alarming update on social media while stuck at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The 72-year-old described how he'd heard 'loud bangs' overhead as he and thousands of fellow Britons in the Middle East try to depart. Turmoil erupted on Saturday morning when the USA and Israel launched attacks on Iran.
In retaliation, Iranian forces struck locations including Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait - all sites with US military bases or allies of the US. Souness travelled to the United Arab Emirates as recently as three weeks ago, working in his capacity as an ambassador for Liverpool.
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The Scot now finds himself in Abu Dhabi but he's unable to return home. Souness informed his followers on Instagram with a video in which he said: "Currently in the Middle East, in Abu Dhabi Airport, I'll give you a quick glimpse of where I am.
"That is my plane I am meant to be catching to go back to the UK. My mum said to me - bear with me - when I was a little boy, 'wherever you are, there's never a dull moment'.
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"So I was thinking this weekend, the biggest game of the season for me, Rangers-Celtic, a game that if Rangers win, that'll put the cat among the pigeons in a big way.
"My mum said, 'wherever you are son, there's never a dull moment'. Well, I'm at this airport, and we're hearing some pretty loud bangs going off, and that is anti-missiles taking out missiles that are being fired at some American base."
A little while later, he added: "Chaos continues. The flight's been cancelled, still hearing explosives, so we give up. We're just going to check into a hotel for a couple of nights and see where we are.
Graeme Souness at an airport
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness offered an update to his followers on social media(Image: Instagram/soueyofficial)
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"Hopefully, this will settle down and we'll get back on our flight. You get grumpy - well I do - when you get delayed and stuff at airports but I think we should think of people that maybe at this point might die. Anyway, I'll keep you posted."
Abu Dhabi's national carrier, Etihad, confirmed in a statement: "All flights scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi are suspended until 2pm UAE time (10am GMT) on Sunday 1 March. Flights scheduled to arrive into Abu Dhabi before 2pm UAE time on Sunday 1 March will be cancelled."
US President Donald Trump claims that 'a lot' of Iran's leadership has been eliminated, having targeted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has also stated it has 'eliminated' the Iranian regime's defence leadership in an 'opening salvo' of strikes.
"Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.