Houthi Attack on Bahraini Defense Force Derails Regional Peace Efforts Amid Renewed Diplomacy
In a recent turn of events that has sent ripples through international diplomatic circles, the Houthi rebels targeted a Bahraini defense force stationed at the southern border of Saudi Arabia. The attack, dubbed by experts as a “treacherous stab” at ongoing peace efforts, has triggered wide-ranging Arab condemnations, most notably from the United Arab Emirates, which called for a “deterrent response.”
The bodies of the coalition martyrs arrived in Bahrain-Image Source: Akhbar Alkhaleej
According to the Saudi-led coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen, the Houthi assault represents a “hostile act” and a “repeated provocation,” out of sync with the positive strides being made toward a comprehensive political solution. The coalition reserved its right to respond “at an appropriate time and place.”
On Monday evening, Bahrain announced the death of one officer, another ranked officer being seriously injured, and several others sustaining injuries due to drone strikes by the Houthi militia at the southern Saudi border. The attack comes amid a lull in military operations among the warring parties in Yemen, effectively casting a shadow over peace initiatives.
مافي دوله تدخلت في حرب اليمن الا ودعسوها اليمانيين 🇾🇪
اللهم اني شامت في عيال البنقاليه والهندية جنود النظام البحريني 🇧🇭
عاجل | قوة دفاع #البحرين: ننعى ضابطا وفردا وسقوط جرحى في هجوم حوثي على مواقعهم عند الحدود الجنوبية للسعودية#السعودية #اليمن #الشهيد_مبارك_الكبيسي pic.twitter.com/9H4D3enK6d
— ALI HASHIM.S (@abualhassan_313) September 25, 2023
ياحجيه جنود البحرين 🇧🇭 سمعوا كلامك راحوا #اليمن ورجعوا البحرين في توابيت ⚰️ 😂 #الشهيد_مبارك_الكبيسي #البحرين #شهداء_البحرين #شهداء_الواجب pic.twitter.com/omsYi23AUl
— ALI HASHIM.S (@abualhassan_313) September 25, 2023
الله يرحمهم ويسكنهم فسيح جناته 🙏#السعودية ومملكة #البحرين مصير مشترك وعدو واحد 🇸🇦🇧🇭.
#شهداء_البحرين pic.twitter.com/te9qThjND0— جلوي آل رشيد 🇸🇦 (@Alyami2030P) September 25, 2023
Timing of the Attack
Remarkably, the attack has occurred at a time when there had been a seeming upswing in peace efforts. It was the first such cross-border attack since April 2022, after the signing of a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement among Yemeni parties. This comes days after Houthi representatives engaged in what were described as “positive” talks in Riyadh, backed by significant regional and international support.
Undermining Peace
Yemeni politicians see the Houthi assault against a Bahraini force as further evidence of the militia’s lack of seriousness toward peace. This warrants a “deterrent response,” in tandem with continued peace talks, according to Yemeni political leader and member of the Nasserist Unity Party, Mujeeb Al-Makhtari.
| Key Elements | Details |
|---|---|
| Target of Attack | Bahraini Defense Force at Saudi Southern Border |
| Condemnations | Widespread Arab condemnations; UAE calls for a deterrent response |
| Coalition Stance | Saudi-led coalition terms it as a ‘hostile act’ and reserves the right to respond |
| Impact on Peace Efforts | Deemed as undermining ongoing and upcoming peace initiatives |
| Timing | First cross-border attack since April 2022 UN-brokered ceasefire |
The global community now watches with bated breath as regional leaders grapple with this newest challenge to stability and peace in the already volatile Middle East.
