Manama: The Kingdom of Bahrain, along with 78 countries and the European Union, condemned the drone attack carried out by armed groups in Iraq, targeting electrical infrastructure outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates on 17 May. This statement was jointly issued by the involved nations.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the attack was considered a violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. It posed a threat to regional and international peace and security, risking civilian lives and infrastructure, with potential severe radiological, environmental, and health consequences. The joint statement expressed deep concern over this escalation and called for an immediate and permanent cessation of all attacks against the United Arab Emirates, specifically those targeting nuclear facilities intended for peaceful purposes.
The statement urged all states to refrain from hostile acts or the use of force inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations. It emphasized the obligation of states to ensure their territories are not used by non-state actors to launch attacks against other states. The coalition reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the United Arab Emirates, in alignment with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The statement also commended the United Arab Emirates for its prompt and transparent information sharing with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the attack's consequences and the successful mitigation measures that kept radiation levels within normal ranges. Additionally, it appreciated the UAE's continued efforts to ensure the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant's safe, secure, and peaceful operation under IAEA safeguards and international standards.
The joint statement further underscored the importance of protecting nuclear infrastructure dedicated to peaceful purposes and called for enhanced international cooperation. This includes strengthening physical protection measures, emergency preparedness, response capabilities, and resilience measures to safeguard nuclear power plants and related sites and infrastructure.
The statement concluded with a call for all states to avoid actions that could jeopardize nuclear power plants dedicated to peaceful purposes, highlighting the urgent need for international cooperation in this regard.