Bahrain, Kuwait prepare for possible Iran conflict spread


FILE PHOTO: A general downtown view is seen with heat haze over the skyline during the afternoon hours in Manama, Bahrain, August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

DUBAI (Reuters) -Bahrain and Kuwait, home to U.S. bases, made preparations on Sunday for the possibility the Iran conflict might spread to their territory, with Bahrain urging drivers to avoid main roads and Kuwait establishing shelters in a ministries complex after U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.

U.S. forces struck Iran's three main nuclear sites late on Saturday, and President Donald Trump warned Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace.

Tehran had previously warned if it was attacked by the United States, it could target American assets in the region, including U.S. military bases.

Bahrain is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet and there are several U.S. bases in Kuwait.

"In light of recent developments in the regional security situation, we urge citizens and residents to use main roads only when necessary, to maintain public safety and to allow the relevant authorities to use the roads efficiently," Bahrain's interior ministry said in a post on X.

Bahrain also told 70% of government employees to work from home on Sunday until further notice, citing escalating tensions, according the Civil Service Bureau.

Kuwait set up shelters in the country's ministries complex, an extensive compound of buildings that houses several government departments, including the ministries of justice and finance, the finance ministry said.

Bahraini authorities earlier this week said they had activated a national plan and a national civil emergency centre to prepare in case of emergencies and proceeded to test warning sirens across the country.

Regional media also reported the country had set up 33 shelters.

(Reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo; Writing by Federico Maccioni in Dubai, Editing by Hugh Lawson, Andrew Mills and Clelia Oziel)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Ukraine halts strikes on tankers using Russian port at US request, FT says
Congo says number of confirmed Ebola cases rises to 4,449
Voting ends in Upper Midwest primaries, a test of progressive energy and Trump's influence
Australia sets 'world-leading' minimum pay and insurance rules for gig delivery workers
Trump says his plane faced 'greater risk' in secret flight change
Lindsey Graham's sister Darline Graham advances to runoff in South Carolina Republican Senate primary
Land dispute-related violence kills 6 in southern Cote d'Ivoire
Colombia quake death toll rises to 188
North Korea fires missile ahead of major US-South Korea drills
Netherlands faces prolonged drought as Rhine flow hits record low

Others Also Read