ABU DHABI, UAE – May 17, 2026 — A drone strike targeted an electrical generator outside the perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region on Sunday, igniting a fire that was quickly contained by emergency teams, according to UAE authorities.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed that the incident involved a drone that breached defenses and struck the generator outside the plant’s inner perimeter. Radiological safety levels remained unaffected, there were no injuries, and all four reactors at the facility continued operating normally. The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) echoed these assurances, with the IAEA noting the brief use of emergency diesel generators for Unit 3 while monitoring the situation closely.
Barakah, the Arab world’s first operational nuclear power plant, consists of four reactors and supplies approximately 25% of the UAE’s electricity. The site is located in a remote area west of Abu Dhabi, near the border with Saudi Arabia.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. UAE officials described it as a “treacherous terrorist attack” and are investigating the origin of the drones, which reportedly entered from the western border. Two other drones were intercepted by air defenses.
The strike comes amid heightened regional tensions and a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire following the recent U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. It marks the first direct targeting of the Barakah facility during the ongoing instability. Saudi Arabia condemned the incident, and the IAEA called for “maximum military restraint” near nuclear installations.
UAE leaders have emphasized that the country maintains strong defenses around critical infrastructure. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of energy facilities across the Gulf, with neighboring states monitoring developments closely.
As investigations continue, authorities stressed that the plant remains secure and fully operational. Further updates are expected as more details emerge on the drone’s origin and motives.
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