Saudi-led intervention in Bahrain

Part of Bahraini uprising of 2011, the Arab Spring, and the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict

Hundreds of protesters denouncing the Saudi-led intervention in Bahrain in a march to the Saudi embassy in Manama on 15 March.

Date

14 – 18 March 2011
(4 days)

Location

Bahrain

Result

Suppression of Bahraini opposition demonstrators from 2011 until 2012, with GCC and Saudi support.

Start Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict

Belligerents

Bahraini opposition

Suppression of Bahraini opposition demonstrators from 2011 until 2012, with GCC and Saudi support.

Saudi led intervention in Bahrain's uprising began on 14 March 2011, three weeks after the U.S. pressured Bahrain to withdraw its military forces from the streets. As a decision by Gulf Cooperation Council, the intervention included sending 1,000 (1,200) troops along with vehicles from Saudi at the invitation of the Al-Khalifa ruling family, marking the first time GCC used such a collective military option for suppressing a revolt.

Calling it an occupation and a declaration of war, Bahrainis opposition pleaded for international help. The intervention was precedented by 1994 Saudi intervention in Bahrain.

Bahrain protests began by 14 February 2011 protest mostly by Shia Muslims making majority of Bahrain population, which faced immediate reaction from government. The protests were initially aimed at achieving greater political freedom and equality for the majority Shia population, and expanded to a call to end the monarchy of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa following a deadly night raid on 17 February 2011 against protesters at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama, known locally as Bloody Thursday.

As Bahrain police were overwhelmed by protesters who also blocked roads, the government of Bahrain requested help from neighbouring countries. On 14 March, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agreed to deploy Peninsula Shield Force troops to Bahrain. The purported reason of the intervention was to secure key installations.

GCC responded to the request from Bahrain's Al-Khalifa by sending its Peninsula Shield Force. The units sent from Saudi included 1,000 (1,200) troops along with 150 vehicles. The vehicles included "wheeled, light-armored vehicles with roof-mounted heavy machine guns." Saudi soldiers were apparently from Saudi Arabian National Guard, commanded by a son of King Abdullah, Prince Miteb. Also, 500 UAE policemen were sent via the causeway between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. To protect the khalifas, Kuwaitis also "sent their navy to patrol the borders of" Bahrain, and some thousands were recruited from Pakistani "former servicemen", too.

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Wikipedia