At least 32 people have been injured in a drone attack in Bahrain as Iran continued a wave of strikes across Gulf countries, AFP reports
Bahrain’s health ministry said the overnight attack targeted the island of Sitra, leaving all the victims including children with injuries. Four people were reported to be in serious condition.
Among them were a 17-year-old girl who suffered severe head and eye injuries and a two-month-old baby, officials said.
The incident comes as several Gulf states reported fresh attacks on Monday amid rising tensions following US and Israeli air strikes on Iran late last month.
Explosions reported in Doha
Residents in the Qatari capital Doha reported hearing multiple explosions on Monday.
Qatar’s defence ministry said its air defence systems had intercepted a missile targeting the country.
Iran has launched waves of drones and missiles across the Gulf in what it describes as retaliation for the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on 28 February.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait targeted
Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed two drones that were heading towards the Shaybah oil field in the country’s south-east.
Kuwait also reported an attempted attack, saying its air defence systems were working to intercept incoming missiles and drones.
Authorities there said seven missiles and five drones had targeted the country on Sunday.
US orders embassy staff to leave Saudi Arabia
The United States has ordered non-essential embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia because of security concerns.
In a travel advisory, the US State Department cited growing safety risks as Iran’s strikes continue across the region.
Last week, drones struck the US embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh. American diplomatic missions in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have also reported damage from drone attacks.
Regional tensions rising
Several Gulf states have been drawn into the crisis after the US and Israel launched a large-scale air campaign against Iran on 28 February.
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has warned that Tehran would respond if neighbouring countries allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.
The situation has raised fears of a wider regional conflict as military activity spreads across the Gulf.
