English
English
English
Drone Attack on UAE Nuclear Site
New Delhi: India on Monday strongly condemned the drone attack targeting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates, describing it as a “dangerous escalation” and urging all parties involved to exercise restraint and return to dialogue and diplomacy amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed deep concern over the strike, which hit the vicinity of the UAE’s only nuclear power facility.
In an official statement, the MEA said India is “deeply concerned” about the attack and stressed that such actions are unacceptable, especially when they involve critical civilian infrastructure.
“Such actions are unacceptable and represent a dangerous escalation. We urgently call for restraint and a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” the ministry stated.
India’s response comes as regional tensions continue to rise due to ongoing geopolitical friction involving major global and regional powers.
The incident occurred on Sunday (May 17) when a drone strike triggered a fire on the perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, located in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi.
UAE authorities described the incident as an “unprovoked terrorist attack.” Emergency teams were immediately deployed to control the situation.
Officials confirmed that the fire was contained outside the inner perimeter of the facility and did not affect nuclear safety systems or radiation levels. No injuries were reported.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office also issued a statement on X, reassuring residents that the situation had been brought under control and that safety measures were fully effective.
The attack has drawn international concern due to the strategic importance of the Barakah plant, which began operations in 2020 and supplies nearly a quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, suspicion has emerged in a region already strained by ongoing conflicts. The UAE has previously accused Iran of involvement in drone and missile strikes targeting its infrastructure, though no official attribution has been made in this case.
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is located near the borders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, making it a key energy asset in the Gulf region. Its role in powering a significant portion of the UAE’s electricity grid underscores the sensitivity of the attack.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as investigations into the drone strike proceed.
