Bahrain Accuses Iran Of Targeting Civilians

By Chidinma Onwuchekwa

The Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) on Monday accused Iran of targeting civilians in its latest attacks on the kingdom, after Tehran said it had struck US military facilities and infrastructure in the country.

The BDF’s general command said in a statement that Iran continued its “systematic hostile approach” through missile and drone attacks targeting civilians in Bahrain.

The force said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial attacks on Monday morning, while maintaining a high level of combat readiness.

It said the Royal Field Engineering Unit remained on standby to safely handle and neutralise any remnants from the attacks, and urged the public to avoid touching suspicious objects or debris.

The BDF said deliberately targeting civilians and private property with missiles and drones violates international humanitarian law and praised its personnel for their readiness in defending the country.

The accusation followed a fresh wave of US strikes on Iran, after Washington accused Tehran of attacking a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched retaliatory strikes on US military facilities in Bahrain and other regional countries.

Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.