Built by the UAE in collaboration with South Korea at a cost of nearly USD 20 billion, the nuclear power plant holds strategic significance as the first and only operational nuclear energy facility on the Arabian Peninsula.
Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (Photo credit: website of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation)
India has voiced deep concern over the drone attack targeting the Barakah nuclear facility in the UAE, warning that any strike linked to a civilian nuclear installation poses serious risks to regional stability and international security. Calling the incident a “dangerous escalation”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday urged all sides to exercise restraint and return to dialogue and diplomacy amid rising tensions in the region.
The sharp reaction from New Delhi came after the UAE confirmed that a drone had targeted an electricity generator located outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Al Dhafra region. While authorities said the facility itself suffered no damage, the attack has triggered alarm because of the sensitive nature of the site and the potential consequences of any escalation involving nuclear infrastructure.
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The UAE strongly condemned the incident and called it a “terrorist attack”. Also, authorities clarified that no operational damage or radiation threat had been reported.
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The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack represented a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable act of aggression that directly threatened the country’s security and sovereignty.
The Ministry also stated that targeting peaceful nuclear energy facilities amounted to a serious violation of international law, the UN Charter and humanitarian principles because of the potential risks posed to civilians, the environment and regional security.
The UAE further stressed that international agreements and standards, including principles laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency, require the protection of civilian nuclear facilities from military threats and hostile acts.
Officials in Abu Dhabi reiterated that the country reserved the right to respond to any threat against its sovereignty and national security through legitimate diplomatic or military measures in accordance with international law.
The statement also underlined that attacks on civilian and strategic infrastructure were unacceptable under international humanitarian norms and called for an immediate halt to hostilities.
The Barakah nuclear power plant holds strategic significance as the first and only operational nuclear energy facility on the Arabian Peninsula. Built by the UAE in collaboration with South Korea at a cost of nearly USD 20 billion, the plant became operational in 2020 and is considered central to the UAE’s long-term energy diversification plans.
The unprecedented targeting of infrastructure linked to the facility has intensified concerns over the security of critical installations in the Gulf region as geopolitical tensions continue to rise.
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