ISTANBUL
Bahrain on Monday summoned the charge d’affaires of the Iraqi Embassy over “continued drone attacks” targeting the kingdom and other Gulf states from Iraqi territory.
In a statement, Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said it strongly condemned the “continued malicious drone attacks” launched from Iraq toward Bahrain and several Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the state news agency BNA reported.
The ministry said Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa, director general of bilateral relations, delivered an official protest note during the meeting with Iraqi diplomat Ahmed Ismail al-Karawi.
He stressed “the importance of Iraq addressing these threats and attacks urgently and responsibly,” in accordance with relevant regional and international laws.
The statement added that Bahrain reaffirmed its right to take “all necessary precautions and measures” to protect its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents.
There was no immediate response from Iraqi officials.
The agency did not say whether the attacks targeted Bahrain and Gulf states before or after a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran took effect last week.
Iran-backed Iraqi factions launched attacks against what they described as “US interests in the region” in support of Tehran during the US-Israeli assault that killed more than 3,300 people since Feb. 28.
Some of those attacks hit civilian facilities and infrastructure in Arab countries, including Bahrain. Iraqi groups announced their commitment to the Iran-US truce that has been in place since dawn Wednesday.
The developments come after Iranian and US delegations concluded 21 hours of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, early Sunday, without reaching an agreement.
