UAE says drones targeting nuclear plant came from Iraq

The drone strike caused a fire near the plant but no injuries or radiation leak, authorities said.

A handout picture obtained from the media office of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on Feb 13, 2020, shows a general view of the power plant in the western Al Dhafra Region. (Photo: AFP/Barakah Nuclear Power Plant)

20 May 2026 12:41AM

(Updated: 20 May 2026 12:43AM)

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (May 18) said drones that targeted its nuclear plant last week came from Iraq, from where Iranian-backed groups have launched several attacks since the Middle East war began.On Sunday, an unclaimed drone struck an electrical generator near the Arab world's only nuclear power plant in Barakah in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, triggering a fire but causing no injuries or radiation leak. Two other drones had been intercepted.Barakah is near the Saudi border and Qatar and the strike raised fears of consequences across the Gulf."As part of the ongoing investigation into the blatant attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on May 17, 2026, technical tracking and monitoring confirmed that the three drones ... all originated from Iraqi territory," the Emirati defence ministry said.Authorities intercepted six drones that also came from Iraq and "attempted to target civilian and vital areas" in the past 48 hours, the ministry added.Iraqi authorities had already condemned the attack on Barakah before Abu Dhabi announced where the drones came from.Iran has attacked the UAE and other Gulf nations since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country on Feb 28, targeting US assets but also energy and civilian infrastructure.Before the Apr 8 ceasefire came into place, Tehran-backed Iraqi groups intervened in support of Iran and struck US facilities in Iraq and the wider region, including Gulf countries.