Drone attack at Barakah nuclear power plant in UAE

On May 17, 2026, a drone attack targeted the Barakah nuclear power plant in the Al Dhafra region of the United Arab Emirates. UAE defense officials reported that three drones were identified near the facility; two were intercepted, while one struck an electrical generator outside the internal perimeter, causing a fire. No injuries were reported, and radiation levels remained normal, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and local authorities. Although the UAE Ministry of Defense initially reported the drones entered from the western border, later statements attributed the attack to launches originating from Iraqi territory. Operations at the plant, which supplies approximately a quarter of the country's electricity, have not been halted. Rafael Grossi cautioned that strikes on nuclear facilities pose significant risks to safety and core containment. Investigations into the source and the perpetrators of the attack are currently ongoing.