This undated photograph released by the United Arab Emirates’ state-run WAM news agency shows the under-construction Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi’s Western desert. (Arun Girija\/Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation\/WAM via AP, File)<\/small><\/p>\n
2026-05-19T14:21:56Z<\/p>\n
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) \u2014 The drones that targeted the United Arab Emirates\u2019 Barakah nuclear power plant all came from Iraq, the country\u2019s Defense Ministry said Tuesday, likely signaling Iranian-backed Shiite militias launched the assault. <\/p>\n
Such militias launched repeated drone attacks targeting Gulf Arab states after Israel and the United States began their war against Iran back on Feb. 28. Militias in the past have provided Iran a means by which to deflect blame over such attacks. <\/p>\n
There were no reported injuries or radiological release at Barakah after the attack, which Emirati officials said hit a generator on the facility\u2019s perimeter. The UAE, which has hosted air defenses and personnel from Israel<\/a><\/span>, recently accused Iran of launching drone and missile attacks even after the ceasefire.<\/a><\/span> Tensions have risen over the Strait of Hormuz<\/a><\/span>, a vital energy<\/a><\/span> waterway gripped by Iran, which is under a U.S. naval blockade.<\/p>\n No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though Iran and its proxies had been suspected.<\/p>\n Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi, without addressing the Emirati Defense Ministry\u2019s report, issued a statement saying that Baghdad \u201cexpresses its strong condemnation of the recent drone attacks targeting the UAE.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe also emphasize the importance of effective regional and international cooperation to prevent any escalation or harm to the stability of the region, or any targeting of the security and sovereignty of sisterly and friendly nations,\u201d al-Awadi added.<\/p>\n