Kuwait, Saudis, Bahrain repel overnight drone attacks

Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain faced a tense overnight barrage of missile and drone attacks, forcing their air defense systems into sustained action as the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its fifth week. The coordinated strikes against these Gulf nations come as Tehran retaliates against countries hosting American military assets.

The Kuwaiti army announced in the early hours of Friday that its air defense units had successfully intercepted multiple hostile projectiles, including both missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Officials clarified that any explosions heard by residents were the result of defensive countermeasures engaging incoming threats. The military urged civilians to remain vigilant and follow official safety instructions.

Kuwait denies radiation leak rumors

Separately, Kuwait's National Guard moved quickly to quash social media speculation about a potential radiation leak. In an official statement, authorities confirmed that all radiation readings in the country's airspace and territorial waters remain within normal safety parameters. Specialized monitoring teams continue to operate around the clock in coordination with relevant agencies to ensure public security, with the radiation detection system functioning efficiently.

Bahrain sirens and Saudi interception

In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry reported that warning sirens had been activated three separate times since early Friday. Residents were instructed to proceed immediately to the nearest safe shelter, though no further operational details were released. Sirens of this nature are typically triggered when aerial threats or active attacks are detected.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry confirmed that its forces had intercepted and destroyed a drone targeting the kingdom's airspace within recent hours. The ministry did not elaborate on the drone's origin or the specific location of the interception.

Regional context of the escalation

These developments unfold against the backdrop of a widening regional conflict that began on Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iranian targets. In response, Iran has unleashed drone and missile strikes not only against Israel but also against Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states—including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain—that host US military personnel and equipment. The retaliatory attacks have resulted in casualties, infrastructure damage, and significant disruptions to global markets and international aviation routes.