By Gloria Ogbonna
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday strongly urged the Iraqi government to launch a full investigation into the recent drone attack targeting the Barakah nuclear power plant, warning Baghdad to take immediate action to stop Iranian-backed militias from using Iraqi territory as a launch point for future attacks.
The incident has raised international alarm because Barakah is the only operational nuclear power plant in the Arab world and a critical part of the UAE’s energy infrastructure. Built with South Korean assistance at a cost of nearly $20 billion, the massive facility began operations in 2020 with the launch of its first reactor. All four units are now fully operational, generating approximately one-quarter of the Emirates’ electricity supply.
The attack occurred on Sunday when three drones were launched toward the nuclear facility. According to UAE officials, air defenses successfully intercepted two of the drones before impact, but a third drone managed to breach the plant’s inner security perimeter and strike an electrical generator inside the complex.
Authorities confirmed that no workers were injured in the explosion and no radioactive materials were released. However, the strike has intensified fears about the vulnerability of civilian nuclear infrastructure in the increasingly volatile Middle East.
The reckless assault immediately drew widespread international condemnation, including during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held on Thursday.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), described the attack as a serious threat to “nuclear safety in the UAE” and warned that the situation represented a matter of “grave concern” for the international community.
Grossi explained that damage to electrical systems supplying the reactors could potentially trigger catastrophic consequences.
“A strike on infrastructure supplying electrical power to the plant could increase the likelihood of reactor core meltdowns, which could result in a high release of radioactivity,” he told the Security Council.
He further stressed that attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities violate international norms and pose enormous risks not only to one country, but to the entire region.
“As I have stated several times, including to this Council, attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes are unacceptable,” Grossi declared.
No organization immediately claimed responsibility for the strike. However, the UAE Defense Ministry stated on Tuesday that evidence indicated the drones originated from Iraq and were most likely launched by Iran-backed Shiite militia groups operating inside Iraqi territory.
These militias, many of which maintain close ties to Tehran, have long been accused of carrying out attacks against neighboring countries, as well as against U.S. and allied military forces stationed in Iraq and Syria.
The Iraqi government initially responded cautiously, issuing only a general condemnation of the “recent drone attacks targeting the UAE” without directly addressing the accusations made by Emirati officials.
An Iraqi government spokesman emphasized the importance of regional stability and international cooperation.
“We emphasize the importance of effective regional and international cooperation to prevent escalation and to protect the security and sovereignty of sisterly and friendly nations,” the statement said.
The response appeared to fall short of Emirati expectations. Clearly dissatisfied, the UAE Foreign Ministry issued a stronger statement on Wednesday demanding that Baghdad “immediately and unconditionally prevent all hostile acts emanating from its territory.”
The ministry further urged Iraqi authorities to confront the threat “urgently, promptly and responsibly” in accordance with international law.
Meanwhile, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan al-Jaber described the strike on Barakah as a “dangerous escalation” that demonstrated “a clear disregard for civilian lives in the UAE and across the region.”
The attack has also intensified pressure on Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, who chaired the first meeting of his national security council on Wednesday.
One of the major topics discussed during the meeting was the continuation of investigations into drone attacks targeting both the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials revealed that three drones launched from Iraq were intercepted on the same morning the Barakah facility was attacked.
Following the meeting, Iraq’s security council announced the formation of a “special committee” tasked with coordinating investigations and maintaining communication with both Saudi and Emirati authorities.
On Thursday, Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji insisted that Iraq’s constitution does not permit its territory to be used for attacks against neighboring states.
However, critics note that Iranian-backed Shiite militias have operated inside Iraq for years with significant freedom, frequently launching rockets and drones at foreign military bases and regional targets.
Analysts say that if Prime Minister Zaidi truly intends to reassure neighboring countries and the international community, his government will need to take far tougher action against these armed factions than previous Iraqi administrations ever attempted.
Doing so could prove politically difficult because several powerful Shiite political groups aligned with Tehran hold considerable influence within Iraq’s government and security institutions.
Araji stated that Iraq seeks to maintain “balanced relations with the international community based on shared interests and mutual respect,” while emphasizing the importance of international law and the United Nations in regulating relations between countries.
Some observers believe Baghdad’s recent statements may signal growing frustration within the Iraqi government over the activities of Iran-backed militias operating on Iraqi soil. Others remain skeptical, suggesting the investigation could eventually conclude without directly blaming either the militias or Iran due to political sensitivities.
Adding to the uncertainty, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry announced that preliminary investigations claimed the drones had not been detected by Iraqi air defense systems before crossing into neighboring airspace.
The ministry also requested that Saudi Arabia share radar data and intelligence related to the drones it intercepted, suggesting Iraq may still be struggling to determine the full details behind the coordinated attacks.
The Barakah strike has now become one of the most serious security incidents involving civilian nuclear infrastructure in the Middle East in recent years, fueling fears that regional tensions involving Iran and its allied militias could spiral into a broader confrontation with potentially devastating consequences.
Source Breitbart
Original article
Comments