Special flights will be operated by the country’s national carrier to bring back Bahrainis stuck in Iraq due to the deteriorating security situation.
Gulf Air is working to deploy chartered flights to Baghdad and Najaf, as the GDN learned there are an estimated 1,500 Bahrainis currently in Iraq.
It comes as the carrier suspended its flights to Baghdad and Najaf following a US drone strike that killed Iran’s top military commander and leader of its elite Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, on Friday at Baghdad International Airport.
The operation was ordered by US President Donald Trump that also resulted in the death of senior Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis.
The bodies of the two men were returned to Iran yesterday, as thousands of mourners carried out processions and Iranian leaders have threatened retaliation.
Threat
Further escalating the situation, President Trump has threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites “very hard” if Iran attacks Americans or US assets in the region.
Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry has stressed de-escalation efforts in order to overcome and address all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism in the region.
“Gulf Air confirmed that it is working to secure recovery flights for its passengers in the Republic of Iraq,” said the airline in a statement.
“Work is underway with the relevant state agencies, headed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and represented by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Republic of Iraq, to do so.”
The GDN contacted the Bahrain Consulate in Najaf yesterday, but an official declined to comment on the contingency plans to evacuate citizens.
According to religious tour operator Dairi Travels, which operated daily tours to Iraq before the airstrike, there are currently thousands of Bahrainis in Najaf and Karbala.
“Based on our estimates there are not less than 1,500 Bahrainis currently in Najaf and Karbala,” the company’s managing director Hussain Al Dairi told the GDN yesterday.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thanked His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister for his “partnership in protecting American personnel and facilities in Bahrain”.
The US announced the deployment of more than 3,000 service members to the Middle East as tensions rise following the killing of the Iranian military commander, who is known to have orchestrated clandestine operations in the Middle East and targeted US forces and their interests.
Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and its more than 8,500 military members and their dependents, with their presence directly contributing to more than $1.2 billion to Bahrain’s economy in 2016.
A spokesman from the Fifth Fleet confirmed to the GDN yesterday that they remain vigilant with the safety of their personnel.
“We take the safety of our personnel very seriously, especially our families,” said Fifth Fleet public affairs officer Commander Joshua Frey.
“We remain vigilant to assess threats and are monitoring developments in the region closely.
“In concert with our Bahraini hosts, we maintain robust capability to defend ourselves.”
Commander Frey did not discuss specific force protection measures, but maintained the fleet was prepared to mitigate threats.
“As the maritime component of US Central Command, the Fifth Fleet maintains and employs a robust arsenal of military capabilities, working with our regional and other allies and partners in support of enhancing maritime security and ensuring free flow of commerce,” he said.
“Afloat or ashore, we remain vigilant to assess, mitigate and defeat threats to our forward-deployed forces and our interests – while accomplishing all missions tasking.”
Bahrain has long accused Iran of funding, training and equipping extremists behind a campaign of violence against security personnel here, finally cutting diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016.
A spokesman from Bahrain School, which is affiliated with the US Defence Department, also told the GDN they were not aware of specific threats to their facility in Juffair.
Lead
“In Bahrain, the US Navy has the lead on force protection and security protocols for our facilities,” said the Department of Defence Education Activity (DoDEA) Europe public affairs officer Stephen Smith.
“We are not aware of any specific threat to our schools nor any specific advisory for DoDEA students in Bahrain.”
The US Embassy last week issued a security alert in light of regional events, warning Americans of potential spontaneous demonstrations or unrest in the coming days or beyond.
A similar advisory was issued on Saturday by the UK, urging British nationals in the region to remain vigilant.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on Saturday urged all parties to engage to de-escalate the situation and backed the US to defend itself against those posing an imminent threat to Americans under international law.
The British official further instructed HMS Montrose and HMS Defender to return to their duties of ensuring free flow of commerce in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which almost a fifth of global oil supplies pass.
The strait links Middle East crude producers to key markets in Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and beyond.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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