Bahrain–Saudi Arabia relations explained

Relations exist between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Relations between the two are close and friendly.

Today

Both are Sunni monarchies with both a Sunni and Shiite population, and both are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. This became particularly important during the Arab Spring, when long-serving strongmen were toppled across the Middle East, and the Bahraini uprising seemed to threaten to do the same to the Bahraini monarchy.

Citing fears of Iranian influence and its rights under the charter of the GCC, Bahrain's monarchy invited Saudi forces in to suppress the rebellion.^{[1] [2]} This was the first case of the GCC agreement on defense being used internally. Saudi Arabia was also concerned to prevent spread of discontent inside its territories.^{[3] [4]}

See also

• • Foreign relations of Bahrain Foreign relations of Saudi Arabia
• King Fahd Causeway

External links

• Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bahrain
• Embassy of Bahrain in Saudi Arabia

Notes and References

1. Hawley, Caroline. "Gulf states send forces to Bahrain following protests." BBC News. 14 March 2011. Accessed 15 January 2012. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12729786
2. Chick, Kristine. "Saudi troops arrive in Bahrain as protests escalate." The Christian Science Monitor. 14 March 2011. Accessed 15 January 2012. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0314/Saudi-troops-arrive-in-Bahrain-as-protests-escalate
3. Quamar, Md. Muddassir. "Managing the Arab Spring: The Saudi Way." Contemporary Review of the Middle East. June 2014. Accessed 20 June 2015. http://cme.sagepub.com/content/1/2.toc
4. News: Chulov . Martin . 14 March 2011 . Saudi Arabian troops enter Bahrain as regime asks for help to quell uprising . . 14 September 2015.