Drone strike causes fire at UAE nuclear power plant

A fire caused by a drone strike broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE's Al Dhafra Region. "All precautionary measures have been taken, and further updates will be provided as they become available. The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) confirmed that the fire did not affect the safety of the power plant or the readiness of its essential systems and that all units are operating as normal," the statement noted. The Abu Dhabi Media Office announced on X, adding that no injuries were reported and that there was no impact on radiological safety levels.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to a fire incident that broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra Region, caused by a drone strike. No injuries were reported, and there was no impact on radiological…

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) May 17, 2026

No group or country has immediately claimed responsibility for the strike. This incident also comes at a time when the UAE is moving faster on a new pipeline project that will help the Gulf nation increase oil exports without relying on the Strait of Hormuz route. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, had instructed state-owned oil company ADNOC to speed up work on the project, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.The new pipeline is expected to double the company's export capacity through Fujairah and is set to begin operations next year.
Sunday's strike was the first time the four-reactor Barakah Nuclear Power Plant had been targeted during the US-Iran war. The facility is located in the remote western desert area of Abu Dhabi, close to the Saudi border.Regional tensions have escalated since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February.