The drones targeting the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah nuclear power plant all came from Iraq, the United Arab Emirates Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, possibly indicating an attack by Iran-backed Shiite militias.
Since Israel and the United States began their war against Iran on February 28, these militia groups have launched drone attacks against Gulf Arab countries on a number of occasions. Militia groups have provided Iran with a means in the past to evade responsibility for such attacks.
There were no reports of casualties or radioactive leaks in Barakah following the attack, which Emirati officials said hit a generator on the perimeter of the facility. The United Arab Emirates, which hosts Israeli air defense systems and personnel, recently accused Iran of carrying out drone and missile attacks even after the ceasefire. Tensions are rising over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy waterway controlled by Iran and currently under a U.S. naval blockade.
No group claimed responsibility for the attack, although Iran and its proxies were suspected.
Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement without mentioning the UAE Defense Ministry report that Baghdad “strongly condemns the recent drone attacks against the UAE.”
“We also emphasize the importance of effective regional and international cooperation to prevent any escalation or damage to the stability of the region, or any actions against the security and sovereignty of sister and friendly countries,” Al-Awadi added.
The Defense Ministry added that three other drones had targeted the country in the past two days, but did not elaborate on their targets.
The $20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant was built by the UAE with help from South Korea and opened in 2020. It is the only nuclear power plant in the Arab world and can meet a quarter of the energy needs of the United Arab Emirates, where Dubai is located.
Earlier on Tuesday, a prominent Emirati diplomat issued veiled criticism of regional countries over the attacks the country faces.
Anwer Gargash wrote on