Drone Strike near nuclear plant sparks alarm in UAE

A drone strike has triggered a fire close to the United Arab Emirates’s main nuclear facility, in what officials described as a serious escalation. Authorities said the incident occurred on Sunday near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, but confirmed there was no impact on radiation safety and no injuries were reported.

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Officials said an investigation is under way into the origin of the attack, while the defence ministry reported that three drones had entered UAE airspace from a western direction.

Drones intercepted before impact

According to the defence ministry, air defences intercepted two of the incoming drones before they could reach their targets. A third drone, however, continued on and struck an electrical generator located outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah facility.

The impact sparked a fire in the generator area, though officials stressed it remained outside the plant’s secure inner zone. Emergency measures were taken immediately, and the situation was brought under control. Local authorities later said the nuclear power station continued operating normally despite the incident.

Fire contained at Barakah facility

The Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed that the fire broke out in an electrical generator unit and was contained without disruption to core operations. It reiterated that precautionary procedures were activated at the site following the strike.

Officials emphasised that radiological safety levels were unaffected, seeking to reassure the public that the incident did not compromise nuclear safety systems at the plant, which is the UAE’s only commercial nuclear energy facility.

UAE condemns ‘act of aggression’

The foreign ministry of the United Arab Emirates described the strike as an “unacceptable act of aggression” and said the country reserves the right to respond to any hostile actions.

It also said targeting civilian nuclear infrastructure constitutes a violation of international law, referencing the principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN Charter, and broader humanitarian rules. The defence ministry separately pledged to respond firmly to any attempts to undermine national security.

Authorities did not identify the source of the drones. However, the UAE has previously accused Iran of involvement in attacks on energy and economic infrastructure since the regional conflict escalated earlier this year, allegations Tehran has denied. The UAE has also rejected Iranian claims that it has participated in offensive actions.

IAEA monitoring and wider regional tensions

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was monitoring the situation closely. Director General Rafael Grossi expressed grave concern over the incident, warning that any military activity near nuclear facilities poses unacceptable risks to safety. He called for maximum restraint from all sides.

The wider regional conflict has involved exchanges of strikes between Iran, the United States, and Israel since hostilities escalated in February. Tehran has said its actions are in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks, while also accusing Gulf states of enabling operations from their territory.

Although a ceasefire was agreed between the US and Iran in April, sporadic clashes have continued. US President Donald Trump said the truce remained under severe strain, amid ongoing disputes over demands related to the conflict and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that has been heavily disrupted since the war began.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 18 May 202