File image.
Bahrain’s state oil company declared force majeure for its shipments on March 9 after an Iranian attack set its refinery ablaze.
The announcement of the force majeure, a legal maneuver that releases a company of its contractual obligations because of extraordinary circumstances, was made in a statement carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency.
In the statement, the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) said that its operations “have been affected by the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East and the recent attack on its refinery complex.” The company insisted, however, that local demand can still be met.
The attack targeted Bahrain’s sprawling Al Ma’ameer oil facility, causing a fire at the complex along with some material damage.
“Outbreak of a fire due to the Iranian aggression targeting a facility in Al Ma’ameer, with material damage reported but no casualties recorded, and the competent authorities have begun firefighting procedures,” Bahrain News Agency says in a post on X.
Earlier in the day, Bahrain’s health ministry announced that an Iranian attack targeting the island of Sitra has wounded 32 civilians. All of the wounded are Bahraini citizens and there are four “serious cases,” including children, said the the ministry in a statement carried by the kingdom’s state news agency.
Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones at neighboring countries, especially in the Gulf, over the past week in response to the war sparked by the United States and Israel. The attacks targeted military facilities hosting or supporting the American military, in addition to energy facilities and infrastructure.
Bahrain in particular was badly hit. Salman, which hosts the U.S. Naval Support Activity base, was hit more than once. The most recent attack was on March 8, and on the same day the kingdom said that a water desalination plant in Bahrain was targeted.
Amid this escalation, rumors saying that King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa left Bahrain emerged. These rumors were mainly promoted by the Bahraini opposition, which is largely supportive of Iran.
Just like Iran, the majority of the population in Bahrain are from the Shia Muslim sect. In 2011, the Bahraini government crushed a Shia uprising in the country with help from Saudi Arabia and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. At the time it accused the Islamic Republic of intervening in its internal affairs.
Since the start of the war on Iran, there have been reports of some protests in Bahrain. Many were also arrested by security forces for voicing their support for the Islamic Republic, or just for sharing videos and photos of attacks on the kingdoms on social media.
As the Israeli-American war on Iran goes on, Bahrain will likely take more losses and tensions within the kingdom will rise further.
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britain has 2 days supply of gas left.
bahraini people rising up in protests. when the westoid monarchs fall, this will be a glorious day. i am waiting for abdullah 2 to fall in jordan. that will be epic. and that son of a street dog in the emirates. arab people now is the time to take your destinies out of the hands of zionist bacteria. monarchy is against palestine and against islam. monarchy deserve to die