Drone Hits Near UAE Nuclear Plant in “Dangerous Escalation”
The United Arab Emirates said a drone strike triggered a fire near its nuclear power station on Sunday.
A Dangerous Escalation
The UAE called the incident a “dangerous escalation”. Officials are now investigating the source of the strike. The country’s defense ministry said three drones had entered the UAE from the “western border direction”. Two were intercepted. However, the third drone struck an electrical generator “outside the inner perimeter” of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi. The strike sparked a fire.
No Injuries or Radiological Impact
No injuries were reported. Local authorities said there was no impact on radiological safety levels. The UAE’s foreign ministry called the strike an “unacceptable act of aggression”. It said the UAE had the right to respond to any hostilities.“The targeting of peaceful nuclear energy facilities is a flagrant violation of international law,” the ministry added.
Firm Confrontation Ahead
The defense ministry said it would “firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country’s security”. Officials have not said where the drone was launched. However, the UAE has previously accused Iran of being behind attacks on its energy and economic infrastructure since the war broke out in the region in February.
