UAE Blames Iraq-Origin Drones for Attack Near Barakah Nuclear Facility

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said that drones involved in a recent attack on its Barakah nuclear power plant were launched from Iraqi territory, according to the country’s Defence Ministry.

The incident, which occurred over the weekend, saw multiple drones approach the Barakah facility in Abu Dhabi, with at least one striking an external electrical generator outside the plant’s inner perimeter. The impact triggered a fire, though authorities confirmed there were no injuries and no release of radiation.

The UAE said air defences intercepted several of the drones before impact, while investigations are ongoing to determine the full network behind the attack. Officials have not directly named a responsible group, but the strike is widely suspected to involve Iran-linked militias operating in Iraq.

According to regional reports, the UAE maintains that the drones originated from Iraq, raising concerns about cross-border militant activity and escalating tensions in the Gulf region.

The Barakah plant; the Arab world’s first nuclear power facility, is a critical infrastructure project that supplies a significant portion of the UAE’s electricity. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that the plant’s safety systems remain intact and radiation levels were unaffected.

The Iraqi government has condemned attacks on UAE territory but has not directly responded to the UAE’s specific claim regarding the origin of the drones.

The incident comes amid heightened regional instability, with ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States, and allied militias operating across Iraq and neighbouring states.