In brief
The United Arab Emirates reported a drone strike that triggered a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, leading to concerns about national security. While two drones were intercepted, one caused damage to an electrical generator, but no injuries were reported and radiological safety levels remained unaffected. UAE officials condemned the strike as an 'unacceptable act of aggression', asserting their right to respond. The UN's nuclear watchdog is closely monitoring the situation.
The United Arab Emirates said a drone strike had triggered a fire near its nuclear power station on Sunday, calling the incident a 'dangerous escalation'.Officials are investigating the source of the strike. The country's defence ministry stated that three drones had entered the UAE from the 'western border direction'. While two were intercepted, the third drone struck an electrical generator 'outside the inner perimeter' of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, sparking a fire.No injuries were reported, and there was no impact on radiological safety levels, according to local authorities.The UAE's foreign ministry described the strike as an 'unacceptable act of aggression' and asserted its right to respond to any hostilities. They emphasized that 'the targeting of peaceful nuclear energy facilities is a flagrant violation of international law, the UN charter, and the principles of humanitarian law'.The country's defence ministry announced it would 'firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country's security'. Officials have not disclosed where the drone originated. Previously, the UAE has accused Iran of being behind attacks on its energy sectors amid escalating regional tensions.The Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed that the fire took place in an electric generator and that precautionary measures had been established at the plant, which continues to operate normally.The UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, is monitoring the situation closely, with its director general expressing 'grave concern' and emphasizing that 'military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable', calling for 'maximum military restraint'.In related developments, Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed three drones that had entered its airspace from Iraq on the same day. The regional military tensions have escalated following Iranian counterstrikes amid ongoing hostilities involving the US and Israel.
