Canada condemns drone strikes on Barakah nuclear plant in UAE

Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney said Ottawa has joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in condemning drone attacks targeting the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, according to a post on social media platform X.

“Canada joins the IAEA in condemning today’s drone attacks on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE. Targeting peaceful nuclear energy facilities poses grave risks to human life and the environment. Canada stands by its friends in the UAE and reiterates the urgent need for restraint and de-escalation in the region,” the post read.

Canada joins the IAEA in condemning today’s drone attacks on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE. Targeting peaceful nuclear energy facilities poses grave risks to human life and the environment. Canada stands by its friends in the UAE and reiterates the urgent need for…

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) May 17, 2026

On May 17, 2026, a drone strike hit the perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi, with UAE authorities stating that one drone struck an external electrical generator outside the facility’s inner security zone, causing a fire. The plant itself was not directly damaged, and officials confirmed that no radiation leak occurred and nuclear safety systems remained fully stable during the incident.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported it was monitoring the situation closely and emphasised the need for maximum restraint around nuclear infrastructure amid rising regional tensions. UAE officials also linked the attack to broader drone activity in the region during the ongoing Iran-related conflict, though no group officially claimed responsibility.

By Jeyhun Aghazada