The UAE Ministry of Defense stated that the drone that struck outside this nuclear power plant was one of three drones that “entered the country from the direction of the western border.”
UAE के न्यूक्लियर प्लांट पर ड्रोन हमला, ईरान पर लग रहा आरोप
The threat of war in the Middle East has by no means diminished. The situation could escalate to the brink of nuclear catastrophe, and this risk has once again come to the fore. On Sunday, a fire broke out near a nuclear power plant in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE, following a drone attack. Fortunately, officials reported that no one was injured in the incident, nor were radiation levels affected. The UAE Ministry of Defense stated that the drone targeting the site was one of three drones that had “entered the country from the direction of the western border.”
What Happened in the UAE?
The attack targeted an electricity generator located just outside the inner security perimeter of the “Barakah Nuclear Power Plant,” situated in the Al Dhafra region. The Ministry stated, “An investigation is underway to identify the source of the attacks, and information will be made public once the inquiry is complete.”
Condemning the attack, Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, made veiled references to Iran and its regional proxy groups. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he stated, “The terrorist targeting of the Barakah Clean Nuclear Energy Plant—whether executed by the primary aggressor or one of its proxies—creates an extremely dangerous situation.” He described the incident as “a dark episode that violates all international laws and norms,” and accused the attackers of showing a complete disregard for the lives of UAE civilians.
It is worth noting that armed groups equipped with Iranian-backed drones are present in Iraq. Similarly, in Yemen, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels also possess combat-capable drones. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement declaring that the country “strongly condemns this unprovoked terrorist attack” and “will not allow its security and sovereignty to be jeopardized under any circumstances.”
Learn About This Nuclear Power Plant
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant commenced operations in 2020. It is situated approximately 200 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, near the borders with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. In 2024, the state-owned “Emirates Nuclear Energy Company” stated that this plant fulfills nearly one-quarter of the country’s electricity requirements.
The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) confirmed that the fire had no impact on the safety or critical systems of the power plant, and that all units are operating normally.
An official from the “Korea Electric Power Corporation” (KEPCO)—which operates the Barakah plant—stated that there were no casualties and that the plant sustained no damage. According to the Yonhap News Agency, the official remarked, “It does not appear that the nuclear plant operated by us was directly attacked. It seems the fire broke out at other power facilities located in the surrounding area.”
Rafael Grossi, the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, also condemned the attack. In a social media post, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that Grossi “expressed grave concern over the incident” and asserted that “military activities that endanger nuclear safety are unacceptable.”
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