Drone strike sparks fire at UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant
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- Barakah nuclear plant was struck by a drone that ignited a fire on its perimeter on Sunday.
- UAE nuclear regulator said the fire caused no radiological release and that all four reactors remained operational, with one on emergency diesel generators.
- UAE Defense Ministry reported that three drones entered from the western border with Saudi Arabia, two were intercepted, and the ministry is investigating the launch.
- Saudi Arabia announced it intercepted three drones that entered UAE airspace from Iraq.
- Barakah nuclear plant cost $20 billion, was built with South Korean assistance, and supplies about 25% of the UAE’s electricity.
Why it matters: The incident exposes a critical energy asset that supplies a quarter of the UAE’s power to vulnerability, raising stakes for the Emirates’ energy security and amplifying regional tensions as US and Iran edge toward renewed hostilities.
