TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stated that the three drones that attacked the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday, May 17, 2026, originated from the Iraqi territory. The finding was announced by the UAE Ministry of Defense on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, following a technical investigation into the attack.
"As part of the ongoing investigation into the blatant attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on May 17, 2026, technical tracking and monitoring confirmed that the three drones... all originated from Iraqi territory," said the statement from the UAE Ministry of Defense.
According to Arab News report, two drones were successfully intercepted by the UAE's air defense system. Another drone hit an electrical generator outside the perimeter of the facility, causing a fire. The UAE government stated that the incident did not result in any casualties or radiation leaks.
Six Drones Intercepted in Two Days
In addition to revealing the origin of the drones that attacked Barakah, the UAE Ministry of Defense stated that the country's air defense system successfully detected and shot down six drones that attempted to attack civilian areas and vital facilities in the last 48 hours.
As reported by Gulf News, the Ministry reported that all targets were successfully neutralized with a high level of readiness and operational efficiency. There were no casualties or damage to vital infrastructure.
"The UAE retains the full right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and national security in accordance with international laws and conventions," the ministry said.
The ministry emphasized that the UAE Armed Forces are fully prepared to respond to any threats to national security.
Barakah, a Strategic Nuclear Facility in the Gulf
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is located in Abu Dhabi and is the only nuclear power plant in the Arab world. The facility generates about a quarter of the UAE's national electricity needs and is the largest source of electricity in the country.
The proximity of Barakah to Saudi Arabia and Qatar has raised concerns in the Gulf region. Since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, tension in the region has escalated.
Iran and Tehran-backed groups have been accused of launching several attacks on the energy and economic infrastructure of Gulf countries.
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