Bahrain: Hazardous Duty Area Status Explored

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. It is situated on the Persian Gulf and is recognised by the World Bank as a high-income economy. Bahrain is a generally flat and arid archipelago with a population of 1,501,635 as of May 14, 2023. The country has a liberal society compared to its neighbours in the region, but conservative social views still prevail.

Bahrain has a history of political unrest and human rights violations. In 2011, inspired by the Arab Spring, Bahrain's Shia majority led large protests against its Sunni rulers. The government responded with a crackdown on the opposition, including conducting thousands of arrests and systematic torture.

In terms of safety and security, there is a high threat of terrorist attacks in Bahrain, with terrorists likely to target residential compounds, military interests, public places, and other areas. Crime rates are low, but there is a risk of piracy in the surrounding waters.

With regards to its status as a hazardous duty area, Bahrain was designated as a combat zone by the United States government beginning January 17, 1991, during the Gulf War. This designation includes the total land areas of Bahrain. Military personnel serving in Bahrain during this period may be eligible for certain tax benefits and exclusions.

Bahrain's history of terrorism

Bahrain faces a high threat of terrorist attacks, including from groups and individuals who target British nationals and interests. The country's history of terrorism is a concern, and travellers are advised to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting. While the threat of terrorism in Bahrain is low compared to other countries, it is still a matter of concern.

In the past, terrorists have carried out attacks using explosive devices in public places, resulting in casualties. These attacks have targeted residential compounds, military, oil, transport, and aviation interests, as well as public places such as restaurants, hotels, beaches, shopping centres, and mosques. The last successful terrorist attack in Bahrain occurred several years ago, but the country remains a potential target.

Bahrain has taken steps to counter terrorism and improve security. The country is a member of the Riyadh-based Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) and actively supports U.S. government counterterrorism efforts. Bahrain also hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and participates in U.S.-led military coalitions, contributing to counterterrorism initiatives in the region.

In 2021, there were no reported terrorist attacks in Bahrain. However, domestic security forces conducted several operations to disrupt attack planning and prevent incidents. For example, on February 6, security forces thwarted a plot to detonate explosives at two National Bank of Bahrain ATMs in Manama. Bahrain's security forces also arrested individuals with alleged links to terrorist groups and confiscated weapons and explosives.

The country has also implemented initiatives to improve relations between the community and security forces, such as the "Our Bahrain" initiative, which aims to promote a shared national identity. Additionally, Bahrain has established programs to address violent extremism, such as the community police program that aims to bridge the divide between the Bahraini Shia community and the police force.

While Bahrain has made significant efforts to counter terrorism and enhance security, the threat of terrorist attacks persists, and travellers are advised to remain vigilant and follow official safety guidelines.

The country's political instability

Bahrain has been ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family since 1783, and was declared a semi-constitutional monarchy in 2002. The country experienced protests inspired by the regional Arab Spring in 2011, with the Shia majority demonstrating against the Sunni rulers. This uprising was met with a bloody crackdown, resulting in dozens of deaths and the imprisonment of peaceful political opponents.

Bahrain's political instability is largely due to tensions between the ruling Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa royal family and the majority Shia Muslim population. The Al Khalifa family has been criticised for violating the human rights of dissidents, political opposition figures, and Shia Muslims. In 2011, protests erupted across Bahrain as part of the Arab Spring, with demonstrators demanding an elected government. In response, the Bahraini government requested security assistance from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, imposed a state of emergency, and launched a crackdown on the opposition, which included conducting thousands of arrests and systematic torture.

The Bahraini government has implemented some reforms to address political instability, such as instituting elections for parliament, granting women the right to vote, and releasing political prisoners. However, human rights organisations have continued to document violations, including suppression of dissent, restricted freedom of expression, and frequent torture.

The presence of US military bases

The US military has had a presence in Bahrain since World War II. The Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is a United States Navy base situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and the United States Fifth Fleet. NSA Bahrain is the primary base in the region for naval and marine activities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and, formerly, Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The base was originally a British Royal Navy base known as HMS Jufair, which was established to control pirates raiding British shipping east of Suez. After the Italian Air Force bombed the base during World War II, the US Navy was invited to deploy a small detachment. In 1971, the base was transferred to the US government as Bahrain gained independence from the British Empire. The base provides support through logistical, supply, and protection, as well as a Navy Exchange facility and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs for US Armed Forces and coalition assets.

NSA Bahrain is home to approximately 8,500 military personnel and DoD Civilian employees, as well as 78 Tenant Commands, Joint, and Coalition Forces. The base has expanded over the years, with new construction projects, including a new perimeter wall, security gate, utility buildings, a harbour patrol facility, a small-craft basin, barracks, a dining facility, and a renovated recreation centre.

The presence of the US military base in Bahrain has led to increased security concerns in the region. Bahrain has been designated as a combat zone by the US government, and military personnel serving in the country may be eligible for certain tax benefits and exclusions. The country faces a high threat of terrorist attacks, with terrorists likely attempting to target residential compounds, military interests, oil, transport, aviation interests, and public places.

Natural disasters and climate change

Bahrain is an archipelago of more than 36 islands, shoals, and small islets located in the west-central part of the Arabian Gulf. The country's landscape is dominated by a desert environment, except for a narrow fertile strip along the northern and northwestern coastlines.

Bahrain is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The country is already experiencing water stress, with only 3 cubic meters of renewable groundwater per capita, compared to a world average of 6,000 cubic meters. The rising population and high consumption patterns have led to the gradual depletion of groundwater sources.

Climate change is expected to exacerbate these existing challenges and increase the frequency and magnitude of natural disasters. The sea level rise is projected to be 10-15% higher in countries closer to the equator, such as Bahrain, posing risks of flooding and coastal degradation.

The warming climate will also bring more droughts, heat stress, increased water consumption, and the spread of waterborne diseases. Additionally, dust storms are listed as a natural hazard for the country.

To address these challenges, Bahrain has developed a Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) for 2021-2025.

Human rights violations

Bahrain's human rights record has been described as "dismal" by Human Rights Watch, with reports of torture, forced disappearances, and the marginalization of the native Shia Muslim population. The government has been accused of cracking down on protesters, destroying Shia mosques, and practising sectarian apartheid by preventing Shiites from holding key government posts or serving in the police or military.

In 2019, Bahrain widened its suppression of online and social media activity, declaring that it would prosecute people who followed or shared posts deemed to be "inciting". No independent media operates in Bahrain, and foreign journalists who have written critically about the country, as well as Human Rights Watch and other rights groups, are routinely denied access.

The Bahraini government has also failed to hold officials accountable for torture and ill-treatment, with oversight mechanisms lacking independence. Arbitrary citizenship revocations have also been an issue, with courts stripping people of their citizenship for alleged offenses related to "terrorism", "national security", and "offending the country".

In addition, Bahraini family laws discriminate against women in divorce, inheritance, and nationality rights. There is also a lack of protection for domestic workers, who are excluded from most of the labor law's protections.

Overall, Bahrain's human rights situation remains dire, with little sign of improvement despite international condemnation and calls for reform.

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