Monday, May 18Monday, May 18A coordinated drone attack targeted the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE on 17.05.2026, sparking a fire near its perimeter. The UAE Ministry of Defense reported that its air defenses intercepted three drones entering from the western border, with two successfully neutralized. The third drone struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the plant in the Al Dhafra region, causing a fire but no injuries or radiation leaks .
Authorities confirmed that radiation levels remained normal, and the plant’s operations were unaffected by the incident. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed grave concern but acknowledged that safety protocols were not compromised . The Barakah plant, located 200km west of Abu Dhabi near the borders with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, began operations in 2020 and is the UAE’s sole nuclear facility .
The UAE has not officially attributed the attack to any group or state, but the incident has raised concerns about the fragility of the truce with Iran and broader regional security risks . Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the drones .
> Background: **UAE intercepts drones near nuclear plant after strike sparks fire.** — *3 hours ago*
Fire sparked after drone strike at UAE nuclear plant The defense ministry said investigations were under way to determine the source of the attacks.
politico.eu · about 7 hours ago
Drone strike sparks fire at UAEs Barakah nuclear plant as IAEA voices concern A drone strike has sparked a fire on the perimeter of the UAEs Barakah nuclear power plant, prompting the IAEA to express grave concern, though authorities said radiation levels remain normal and operations were unaffected.
intellinews · about 8 hours ago
Drone Strike On UAE Nuclear Plant Sparks Alarm Over Shaky Iran Truce A fire broke out near the perimeter of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sole nuclear power plant on…
europesays.com · about 8 hours ago
Drone hits UAE nuclear power plant: IAEA reports normal radiation levels Hoda Abdel-Hamid is live from Doha, Qatar.
france24 · about 9 hours ago
UAE says drone strike caused fire at nuclear plant Attack at Barakah plant caused no injuries, and authorities say radiation levels remain normal
financial times · about 9 hours ago
Drone strike sparks fire on perimeter of UAEs Barakah nuclear power plant Authorities say radiation levels remain normal, operations not affected.
aljazeera · about 10 hours ago
🇦🇪- UAE MoD announces its air defenses engaged 3 drones that entered the country from the western border today, where two were successfully intercepted while the third struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra area. @GeoPWatch
telegram bot · about 10 hours ago
Drone Strike Sparks Fire Near U.A.E. Nuclear Plant The Gulf state didnt say who launched the attack, which highlighted the risks of the war with Iran.
wsj · about 11 hours ago
JUST IN: 🇦🇪 Fire breaks out outside Abu Dhabi Barakah nuclear power plant following drone strike. @BRICSNews
telegram bot · about 12 hours ago
🇮🇷❌🇦🇪- Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra has been attacked by a drone. The drone impacted the electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the plant, no injuries have been reported yet. @GeoPWatch
telegram bot · about 12 hours ago
⚡️#BREAKING A drone strike caused a fire outside a nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, UAE authorities say
telegram bot · about 12 hours ago
Drone strike starts fire outside UAE nuclear plant The plant began operations in 2020 and is 200km west of the UAEs capital Abu Dhabi, near the borders with Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
thejournal · about 12 hours ago