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Drone near Barakah
A drone strike near the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates triggered a fire in an electric generator inside the nuclear plant perimeter, and the UAE said it did not cause any injury or any impact on radiation safety levels.
“Emergency diesel generators are currently providing power to the NPP's unit 3”
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a post on X that "Emergency diesel generators are currently providing power to the NPP's unit 3" and that it was in constant contact with the UAE authorities, ready to provide assistance if needed.
The UAE’s defence ministry said the drone was one of three that "entered the country’s territory from the western border direction," and that the other two were successfully intercepted while investigations were under way to determine the source of the attacks.
The UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation posted that "There has been no release of radioactive material" and that radiological safety levels remained within normal ranges, with no injuries reported.
UAE, IAEA, and condemnation
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said he "expresses grave concern about the incident" and reiterated a call for maximum military restraint near any NPP to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident.
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed held a phone call with Grossi, and the UAE foreign ministry said they discussed the incident and "ways to further enhance" UAE-IAEA relations across fields supporting peaceful nuclear energy.
UAE Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said the Emirates' resolve "only grows stronger" and called the targeting of Barakah "a terrorist attack on a peaceful project" that powers homes, hospitals, and industries.
Mohamed ElBaradei described the attack as an irresponsible act, writing on X on Monday: "The drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates is an irresponsible act and utterly condemnable."
Power, safety, and escalation
The Guardian reported that Reactor no 3 at the Barakah nuclear plant lost vital off-site power for about 24 hours after the attack on Sunday, forcing it to rely on emergency diesel generators.
“lost vital off-site power for about 24 hours”
The IAEA said on Monday it had been told by the UAE that off-site power to unit No 3 had been restored "earlier today," and that "the reactor no longer needs emergency diesel generators for power".
The Guardian also reported the UAE’s defence ministry said three drones targeting the plant had originated from Iraqi territory, with two intercepted and one getting through to cause a fire near a four-reactor plant that supplies the UAE with a quarter of its electricity.
Rafael Grossi told the Guardian that nuclear sites and other installations important for nuclear safety must never be targeted by military activity, while the World Nuclear Association reiterated its call for those responsible for military activity near the plant and civilian energy facilities to revisit the Geneva conventions.
