UAE denounces attack targeting Barakah plant

The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the unprovoked attack targeting an electricity generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra region, carried out by a drone that entered the country’s territory from the western border.

There were no injuries and no impact on radiation safety levels.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed the attack constitutes a dangerous escalation, an unacceptable act of aggression, and a direct threat to the country’s security.

The Ministry stressed the targeting of peaceful nuclear energy facilities is a flagrant violation of international law, the UN charter, and the principles of humanitarian law, given the grave risks such acts pose to civilians, the environment, as well as regional and international security.

The Ministry further emphasised that relevant international standards and agreements, including the principles and relevant resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency, underscore the necessity of protecting peaceful nuclear facilities and safeguarding their safety and security from any hostile acts or military threats.

The UAE stressed it will not tolerate any threat to its security and sovereignty under any circumstances, and that it reserves its full, sovereign, legitimate, diplomatic, and military rights to respond to any threats, allegations, or hostilities in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, national security, territorial integrity, and the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors, in accordance with international law.

The Ministry further underscored that targeting vital and civilian infrastructure is unequivocally condemned and rejected under all legal and humanitarian norms, underscoring the need to immediately halt these unprovoked attacks and ensure full compliance with the cessation of all hostilities.

الإمارات تدين الاستهداف الإرهابي للمنطقة المحيطة بمحطة براكة pic.twitter.com/m1OlKVbpXN

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) May 17, 2026

Meanwhile, Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to the UAE President, condemned the attack in a socal media post.

He wrote, "The terrorist targeting of the Barakah clean nuclear power plant, whether carried out by the principal perpetrator or through one of its agents, represents a dangerous escalation and a dark scene that violates all international laws and norms, in criminal disregard for the lives of civilians in the UAE and its surroundings.

"This prohibited escalation serves to reaffirm the nature of the challenges facing the region in confronting the forces of evil, chaos, and sabotage. No one will twist the UAE's arm, nor will they succeed in undermining its vision, its success, and its inspiring message to the peoples of the region in security, stability, development, and prosperity."

الاستهداف الإرهابي لمحطة براكة للطاقة النووية النظيفة، سواء جاء من الموكّل الأصيل أو عبر أحد وكلائه، يمثل تصعيدًا خطيرًا ومشهدًا مظلمًا يخرق كافة القوانين والأعراف الدولية، في استهتار إجرامي بأرواح المدنيين في الإمارات ومحيطها. ويأتي هذا التصعيد المحظور ليؤكد مجددًا طبيعة…

— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) May 17, 2026