ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday condemned what it described as “unprovoked terrorist drone attacks” launched from Iraq against its territory, including a recent strike targeting the premises of a nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, and urged Baghdad to strengthen its role as a “responsible” regional partner.
In a statement, the Emirati foreign ministry said the UAE “condemns in the strongest terms the unprovoked terrorist drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory, including an attack targeting the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on Sunday.”
A day earlier, Abu Dhabi’s defense ministry said its investigation confirmed that three drones targeted the critical facility, noting that the attack “originated from Iraqi territory” and while two drones were intercepted, “the third struck an electrical generator outside the plant’s inner perimeter.”
The US and Israel launched a large-scale aerial campaign against Iran in late February, striking thousands of targets across the country during six weeks of hostilities.
In response, Iran carried out thousands of drone and missile strikes across the Middle East, targeting alleged US assets - particularly in Gulf Arab states - as well as launching retaliatory attacks against Israel.
The Iranian response has also included strikes by factions aligned with the Iran-led ‘Axis of Resistance’, including by shadowy armed groups in Iraq that have claimed numerous attacks against alleged US targets in the country and the wider region.
The Emirati foreign ministry on Wednesday reiterated Abu Dhabi’s “categorical rejection of the heinous terrorist attacks launched from Iraqi territory against critical civilian institutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries,” describing them as “a flagrant violation of sovereignty and airspace, and a clear breach of international law.”
The ministry also called on Baghdad to assume its responsibility and “prevent all acts of aggression launched from its territory,” underscoring “the importance of Iraq fulfilling its role in strengthening security and stability in the region” and enhancing its position as “an active and responsible regional partner.”
Importantly, Iraqi government spokesperson Basim al-Awadi on Tuesday conveyed Baghdad’s “strong condemnation” of the drone attacks targeting the UAE and reaffirmed Iraq’s “full support for efforts to establish security and stability in the region.” However, he notably stopped short of denying that the attacks may have been launched from Iraqi territory.
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