Drone Attack Targets UAE’s Strategic Barakah Power Plant

May 18, Kathmandu – The Barakah Power Plant located in Abu Dhabi, UAE, was targeted by a drone attack on Sunday. Reports from various news agencies confirmed a fire broke out at the facility following the incident.

The Barakah Power Plant is the largest power source in the UAE, with every megawatt of electricity produced being carbon-free.

According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the drone attack occurred at the Barakah nuclear energy complex in the Al Dhafra region from the western border. The ministry has not yet disclosed the identity of the attackers.

However, the ministry strongly condemned the attack as a direct threat to national security and a clear violation of international law. It also stated that the UAE reserves the right to respond, either militarily or diplomatically, to hostile actors.

Earlier, the UAE’s state media confirmed that a generator at the power plant caught fire due to the drone strike but that the fire has since been controlled.

Officials emphasized that no individuals were injured, and there was no impact on radiation safety levels. All necessary precautionary measures have reportedly been implemented.

The attack occurred amid heightened tensions between Iran and the UAE. On Friday, the UAE accused Iran of launching over 3,000 attacks against its civilian infrastructure during a conflict involving the US and Israel.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the UAE of playing an active role in the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran. He stated that Iran has only targeted military bases and organizations linked to the US and Israel within the UAE.

Condemnation of the Attack

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern over the attack during a phone call with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, condemning the incident in strong terms.

India also condemned the attack. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement calling such acts unacceptable and likely to escalate tensions. It urged immediate restraint and a return to dialogue and diplomatic solutions.

Saudi Arabia criticized the drone attack on the UAE’s nuclear energy facility as a “senseless act of terrorism” and warned that it could increase regional tensions.

Why Is Barakah Power Plant Significant?

The Barakah nuclear power plant is situated in the Al Dhafra region of northwestern UAE desert, near the borders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It was constructed by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation in partnership with a South Korean energy company.

According to the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation website, the four APR-1400 design nuclear reactors at Barakah generate 40 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, which constitutes roughly 25% of the UAE’s total electricity demand.

The plant forms an essential part of the country’s energy diversification strategy, providing clean and efficient energy to industries, homes, businesses, and government facilities while helping the UAE reduce its carbon emissions.

The website also states that the Barakah nuclear power plant prevents approximately 22.4 million tons of carbon emissions yearly, equivalent to removing about 4.8 million cars from the roads.