Middle East.. WWYD?

[JacobsRain]

Good evening,

Please try not to judge me harshly, I'm worried and not sure what to do. I'm completely naive when it comes to this.

I'm living in Bahrain in the ME and just seen the news of Iran launching an attack on Israel.

Be honest, are we in immediate danger here in Bahrain? Do we need to leave?

I’m not sure I’d ask mumsnet whether you need to flee your country! Surely the government are offering advice? Hope you’re safe x

Op where would you go to??? Is Bahrain in the united Arab Emirates??? Is there any official government advice you can follow??? Stay safe x

I lived in Bahrain through the second gulf war. Didn’t really notice anything happening, bar the increase of Americans 😂 it’s not something that currently involves Bahrain, although obviously this could change (although I doubt it - the wider ME countries will be looking to de-escalate). Only you can make a decision but personally I’d say you aren’t in any imminent danger.

There's nothing here in local news. It's like nothing is happening.

Iran have already said the matter is over and case closed. So whatever has started has already ended. There’s no way anyone would stand up to the brute force of Israel with America backing it unreservedly. It’s all just posturing.

Surely you aren't naive enough to believe this. I'm sure Iran consider it 'case closed' if Israel doesn't retaliate / no one else gets involved. Of course Israel are going to retaliate

Yeah, it's not up to Iran to decide Case Closed, FFS! What are Israel going to do now?!

Bahrain is a good country to be in. I have lived there on and off since the 1970s. It has always remained a safe place to live despite the wars that have happened and are happening around with its neighbours. Also answer to one of the posters Bahrain is not part of the UAE.

I'm in the US and there's barely any coverage of this at all as of 7:00 pm EST.

Nothing even popped up on my news feed; I had to Google it! Feels like they're trying desperately to downplay this.

Really? Not even now? It’s constant rolling coverage on all the UK channels.

I’ve been curious about US media and I’d be fascinated to know how news channels have covered this conflict over there

Keep an eye on FCDO travel advice OP, HMG monitor events like this all the time and what the risk/impact will be for British Nationals.

I'm in the US too and it's been all over the news.

Could you contact the local embassy for advice? Or the FCO website - they have lists of countries not to travel to (or stay in).

It's on CNN now (8:30 pm EST) but not the breathless "we're on the precipice of WWIII" hysteria you might expect.

I lived in Bahrain through both the 1st and 2nd Gulf War and never felt in danger. Register with your Embassy and if necessary they will advise on whether you should stay or consider leaving.

OP- which other country are you a citizen of? Surely you need to take advice from your own consultant regarding leaving?

After Biden's speech yesterday?

I would be scared.

And glad I live at the arse-end of the world.

I strongly suggest you speak to your fellow expats rather than throwing it out to the internet and garnering views from people who don't have the experience to advise you properly. Sadly people have odd perceptions about living in the ME based on media stories.

I live in Saudi. I'm not worried. Before the hiatus began last year the Houthis were firing rockets into Saudi and all over the place all the time. They rarely landed (very small % did). Bahrain, much like Saudi, has very sophisticated anti missile technology.

This is all par for the course with Iran in the region. They wouldn't attack Bahrain in any significant way because that would be an out and out declaration of war on the US, which Iran doesn't want.

Really? I’m in Canada and there has been live coverage since it happened

It's just willy waving and we're entering another cold war era - the threat of the big red button stops anyone pressing the big red button. This is a conflict of propaganda.

Really?
Iran has fired drones, ballistic and cruise missiles at Israel.
UK jets have been scrambled.

They've said they've done what they wanted to do it and the matter is concluded so let's hope that's the case. There has been no update for Middle East countries and flights are still running etc .. so would rest assured for now ..news wise anything UK based in best .. even LBC in the background will give the important updates and you can get it worldwide .. BBC 4 Today program is excellent for a good round up and is preceded by BBC world service news

You're pretty safe in Bahrain so really wouldn't worry. Generally the Gulf countries try to not get too involved unless attmpting to mediate which Qatar are doing at the moment.
I'm in Iraq and over the last few months there have been all sorts of things happening but I still feel pretty safe here.
One issue at the moment seems to be delayed / cancelled flights due to closure of air space around Israel/Syria etc but most airlines have been avoiding these areas for a while.
The biggest worry is the US support of Israel and what that may lead to.

Bahrain is probably one of the safest places in the Gulf to be right now. It has a huge American base. The Iranians won't touch it.