DUBAI, UAE – The United States on Saturday called Bahrain and the UAE as “major security partners,” an unprecedented designation for the two countries where major U.S. military operations resided.
A White House statement linked the appointment to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates normalizing ties with Israel, saying it “reflects their extraordinary courage, determination and leadership.” It was also noted that the two countries have long been involved in US military exercises.
It is unclear what the designation means for Bahrain, an island kingdom located on the shores of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, and the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhs living in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy’s fifth fleet, while the UAE port, Jebel Ali, is the busiest port of call for U.S. warships outside the U.S. Bahrain hosts about 5,000 U.S. troops, while the United Arab Emirates hosts 3,500, many at Al-Dhafra Air Base.
The United States already uses the designation “non-NATO main ally” to describe its relationship with Kuwait, which hosts the advanced command of the United States Army Headquarters. This designation gives a country special financial and military considerations for non-NATO nations. Bahrain is also a non-NATO ally.
The U.S. Army Central Command and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The 5th Fleet forwarded inquiries to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The appointment of the White House comes in the last days of the administration of President Donald Trump. Trump established close relations with the Arab Gulf countries during his time in office in part because of his tough stance on Iran. This sparked a series of escalating incidents between countries after Trump unilaterally withdrew from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers.
It also comes after Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates joined Egypt and Saudi Arabia to begin resolving the boycott of years ago in Qatar, another Gulf Arab nation that hosts Al-Udeid air base that hosts the advanced operating base. of Central Command. This boycott began in the early days of Trump’s term after visiting Saudi Arabia on his first trip abroad.
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