Bahrain summons Iraqi envoy over drone attacks, urges action

BAGHDAD — Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Iraq’s chargé d’affaires in Manama and delivered a formal protest over what it described as continued drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory toward Bahrain and other Gulf countries.

In a statement, the Bahraini ministry said it had conveyed “strong condemnation and denunciation” of the attacks. The ministry urged the Iraqi government to take measures to stop the threats and prevent their recurrence, in line with international and regional obligations. It also said Bahrain reserves the right to take all necessary steps to protect its security and stability.

The move follows similar actions by other Gulf states. Saudi Arabia on Sunday summoned Iraq’s ambassador in Riyadh, Safia al-Suhail, and handed her a protest note condemning continued “attacks and threats” targeting the kingdom and Gulf countries via drones launched from Iraqi territory.

Kuwait also summoned Iraq’s chargé d’affaires in late March for the second time over what it said were attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting its territory.

The summons adds to mounting Gulf frustration over Baghdad’s inability to stop cross-border attacks by Iran-aligned factions. Six Arab states — Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan — jointly called on Iraq last month to act, describing the strikes as “a flagrant violation” of their sovereignty. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly rejected the use of its territory for such attacks and pledged to coordinate with neighboring countries, while struggling to stop factions formally incorporated into its own security apparatus.