Nuclear Power Plant
Barakah NPP — drone strike and external generator fire
17 May 2026
Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
What happened
One of three drones targeting the UAE struck an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the operating Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and caused a contained fire; the other two drones were intercepted. The strike required Unit 3 to rely temporarily on emergency diesel generators until off-site power was restored. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council that radiation remained normal and no injuries were reported. UAE authorities said the plant remained safe, stable and operational, with no radiological release.
When cited sources give different casualty, damage or spill figures for this event, they’re reported side by side above rather than merged into one number. See how confidence levels work.
- Evidence
- Documented
- Confidence
- High
- Infrastructure
- Nuclear Power Plant
- Latitude
- 23.9700°
- Longitude
- 52.2300°
Attribution
Responsibility disputed Unknown; UAE said the drones entered from Iraqi territory
No group claimed responsibility. The UAE said the three drones approached from Iraqi territory; two were intercepted and one struck the plant's external electrical infrastructure.