UAE warns Iraq after drone strike on Barakah nuclear plant

The United Arab Emirates has warned Iraq to prevent hostile actions originating from its territory after Abu Dhabi said drones launched from Iraq targeted the Barakah nuclear power plant.

According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the incident represents a serious escalation and a direct threat to critical civilian infrastructure, Caliber.Az reports.

الإمارات تُدين بشدة الاعتداءات الإرهابية التي استهدفت محطة براكة بطائرات مسيّرة من الأراضي العراقية pic.twitter.com/zlYZ1D8zW5

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) May 20, 2026

The ministry urged Baghdad to take immediate and unconditional steps to stop such attacks and to assume responsibility for addressing the security risk.

Abu Dhabi said the alleged drone strike on the Barakah facility constituted a violation of the UAE’s sovereignty, international law, and the United Nations Charter.

Earlier, UAE said drones that targeted the Barakah nuclear power plant originated from Iraqi territory, pointing to a possible role by Iran-backed Shiite militias, though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Officials said the strike hit a generator on the perimeter of the Barakah nuclear power plant but caused no injuries or radioactive leakage. The claim comes amid heightened regional tensions linked to the wider conflict involving Iran and its network of allied armed groups across the region.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned of “grave concerns” over the increasing risk of attacks on nuclear facilities, saying a direct strike could have severe radiological consequences.

By Aghakazim Guliyev