Bahrain And Iraq: A Geopolitical Overview

Bahrain and Iraq are two countries in the Middle East with a complex history of relations. Bahrain, the smallest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, has historically perceived Iraq as a threat to its security due to its larger size and political influence. Bahrain's relations with Iraq have been particularly strained since 2011, when protesters mobilized against the Bahraini government with support from the Shiite political class in Baghdad. In June 2019, hundreds of Iraqis stormed the Bahraini embassy in Baghdad, protesting a US-sponsored workshop in Manama on Palestine, leading Bahrain to recall its envoy to Iraq. Despite these tensions, both countries maintain embassies in each other's capitals, and they are connected through their membership in the League of Arab States. Iraq, a non-Arab country with a large Shiite population, also has religious sites that are important to the global Shiite community, including the city of Karbala, which holds significance for both Iranian and Iraqi Shiites.

Bahrain and Iraq both have embassies in each other's countries

Bahrain and Iraq are neighbouring countries in the Middle East. Bahrain is located to the southeast of Iraq, with the Persian Gulf separating the two countries. The two nations have had a tumultuous relationship, with Iraq previously posing a perceived security threat to Bahrain. Despite this, Bahrain has maintained friendly relations with most of its neighbours, including Iraq, and both countries have embassies in each other's capitals.

The Bahraini Embassy in Iraq is located in Baghdad, specifically in the Al Mutanabi area. The Embassy provides passport and visa services for those travelling between the two countries. It serves as a point of contact and assistance for Bahraini citizens in Iraq and also works to promote bilateral relations between the nations.

The Iraqi Embassy in Bahrain is situated in Manama, the Bahraini capital. Similar to its Bahraini counterpart, the Iraqi Embassy facilitates passport and visa processes for travellers. It also represents Iraqi interests in Bahrain and fosters diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The presence of embassies in both countries indicates a level of mutual recognition and willingness to maintain diplomatic relations. This stands in contrast to the historical tensions between Bahrain and Iraq, particularly with Iraq's previous denunciation of Manama as an enemy of Arab nationalism and its support for opposition groups seeking to overthrow Bahrain's ruling dynasty. Nonetheless, the establishment of embassies showcases a shift towards diplomacy and the pursuit of friendly relations between the two nations.

Overall, despite their geographical proximity and historical differences, Bahrain and Iraq have taken steps towards maintaining diplomatic relations by establishing embassies in each other's countries, facilitating travel and engagement between their citizens, and promoting dialogue and cooperation on regional issues.

Bahrain and Iraq have had agitated relations since 2011

Bahrain and Iraq are neighbouring countries in the Middle East. Bahrain is the smallest state in the region and has long felt vulnerable to political influences from more powerful neighbours, including Iraq.

In the 1970s, the Baath socialist media in Baghdad frequently denounced Manama, the capital of Bahrain, as an enemy of Arab nationalism and a puppet of Western imperialism. Bahrain also believed that Baghdad had provided financial and other support to Bahraini opposition groups calling for the overthrow of the Al Khalifa dynasty. Although Iraq moderated its policies towards Bahrain in the late 1970s, the Iranian Revolution of 1979 presented the Bahraini government with new ideological challenges. Some Shia clergy in Tehran denounced the monarchy as un-Islamic, and this message was enthusiastically embraced by Shia political dissidents in Bahrain. During the 1980s, Bahraini government officials suspected Iranian involvement in four separate plots to overthrow the regime.

Bahrain was one of the many Arab states affected by the wave of uprisings in 2011, with the Shia population taking to the streets. Soon after the protests began, Saudi troops entered Bahrain to stop them, and the Bahraini government decried all protesters as agents of Iran. There is no evidence of Tehran's involvement in the protests, but suspicions remain.

In recent years, Bahrain and Iraq have moved to establish a stronger relationship due to fears of growing Iranian interference. Both countries have embassies in each other's capitals.

In 2019, protesters stormed the Bahraini embassy in Baghdad

Bahrain is a small Gulf state that shares close ties with its neighbour Saudi Arabia. It is also a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), alongside five other Persian Gulf states.

In June 2019, protesters stormed the Bahraini embassy compound in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The protesters removed the Bahraini flag and replaced it with a Palestinian banner. This was done in protest against a conference held in Bahrain to promote peace between Arabs and Israelis. The conference, which ended on Wednesday, was to promote the Trump administration's $50 billion economic support plan for the Palestinians ahead of a broader Mideast peace plan.

The Bahraini Foreign Ministry condemned the attack and recalled its ambassador, Salah Ali al-Maliki, for discussions. The Iraqi government also expressed "deep regret" over the attack and vowed to "bring all saboteurs to justice". The Iraqi security forces took control of the area and detained 54 people for taking part in the attack.

The attack on the embassy threatened to affect relations between Iraq and nearby gulf nations, which had been improving in recent months since Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi took office. It was believed to have been carried out by supporters of Iran-backed Iraqi militias.

Bahrain and Iraq have a history of strained relations. Bahrain has long regarded Iraq as a potential threat to its security and, during the 1970s, the Baath socialist media in Baghdad frequently denounced Manama as an enemy of Arab nationalism and a puppet of Washington's imperialism. Although relations improved in the late 1970s, the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980 aroused security concerns for Bahrain and other gulf states. During the Persian Gulf War in 1990-91, Bahrain was part of the coalition that fought to liberate Kuwait and was hit by Scud missiles fired from Iraq.

Bahrain and Iraq are both members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC)

Bahrain is located east of Saudi Arabia, to the northeast of Iraq. Both Bahrain and Iraq are members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).

The GCC is a political and economic union of six Gulf countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The council was established on May 26, 1981, and is headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All member states are monarchies, with three constitutional monarchies (Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain), two absolute monarchies (Saudi Arabia and Oman), and one federal monarchy (the United Arab Emirates).

The GCC was formed to foster economic cooperation and coordination among its members. It has also played a significant role in security matters, with the Peninsula Shield Force serving as its military arm. The GCC has set goals for its members, including the establishment of a customs union, a common market, and a common currency.

Bahrain, as the smallest state in the region, has historically felt vulnerable to political influences from more powerful neighbours like Iran and Iraq. Bahrain's membership in the GCC allows it to counter these potential threats and strengthen its security. During the 1970s, Iraq's Baath socialist media in Baghdad frequently denounced Bahrain as an enemy of Arab nationalism due to its relationship with the United States. Despite these past tensions, Bahrain has maintained friendly relations with its neighbours since gaining independence in 1971.

Iraq, despite having territory in the Arabian Peninsula and bordering the Persian Gulf, is not a member of the GCC. However, it previously held associate membership in certain GCC-related institutions before the invasion of Kuwait, after which its membership was cancelled. In 2012, Iraq expressed interest in joining the GCC, but no progress has been made.

Bahrain and Iraq have both been affected by the Iran-Iraq War

Bahrain is located in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia and north of Qatar, and shares maritime borders with Iran and Iraq. Bahrain has historically felt vulnerable to political influences from its more powerful neighbours, particularly Iran and Iraq, and has sought to counter these influences by cultivating close ties with other Arab monarchies, particularly Saudi Arabia.

The Iran-Iraq War began on 22 September 1980, when Iraqi armed forces invaded western Iran. The war was motivated by fears that the 1979 Iranian Revolution would inspire insurgency among Iraq's long-suppressed Shia majority, as well as Iraq's desire to replace Iran as the dominant power in the Persian Gulf. The war lasted until 1988, when a UN-brokered ceasefire was accepted by both sides.

The war had a significant impact on both countries. About half a million Iraqi and Iranian soldiers died, with many more injured, and a similar number of civilians were killed. The war also brought economic devastation, with the combined financial losses of both combatants believed to have exceeded $1 trillion.

Bahrain was also affected by the war. In the 1970s, the Bahraini government had lobbied its Arab neighbours in the Gulf to cooperate on defence matters, and in 1981, Bahrain joined the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with five other Gulf states. The GCC emphasised economic cooperation, but the level of cooperation in security matters increased annually. For Bahrain, this meant financial assistance for expanding its defence forces and facilities and the opportunity to participate in joint training exercises.

When fellow GCC member Kuwait was invaded by Iraq in 1990, Bahrain joined the collective military effort against Iraq by sending a small contingent of troops to the front lines in Saudi Arabia. It also permitted US military forces to use its naval and air facilities.

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