Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, May 18: A drone attack triggered a fire at a nuclear facility in the United Arab Emirates, officials in Abu Dhabi confirmed on Sunday, raising fresh concerns over escalating regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its adversaries.
Authorities said the strike hit an external electrical generator at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, located outside the plant’s main security perimeter. Despite the incident, officials confirmed that there was no radiation leak and no injuries were reported.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office stated that emergency services responded quickly after the strike caused a fire. It also confirmed that the country was investigating the origin of the drone attack and reserved the right to respond to what it described as a hostile act.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was closely monitoring the situation and urged maximum restraint near nuclear facilities. It added that emergency diesel generators were temporarily supplying power to one of the plant’s operational units.
UAE defence officials said multiple drones were detected approaching from the western border area and that at least two were intercepted before impact. Investigations are ongoing to determine who launched the drones.
The UAE foreign ministry strongly condemned the incident, calling it an unprovoked attack and warning that such actions constitute a serious escalation and a direct threat to national security.
Officials also noted that the country’s air defence systems were activated during the incident, and security forces are continuing to assess the broader threat environment.
The Barakah facility, which is the first nuclear power plant in the Arab world, was developed with international collaboration and began operations in 2020. It is a key contributor to the UAE’s long-term energy strategy, supplying a significant portion of the country’s electricity needs.
The incident comes amid heightened regional instability in the Gulf, where tensions have repeatedly disrupted energy infrastructure and maritime security routes, further raising global concerns over nuclear safety and energy stability.