If you’re wondering what’s happening in Bahrain and the region, you’re not alone. At around 7:37 PM on Monday, warning sounds went off around Bahrain. News of Iran’s missiles entering Qatar’s airspace followed soon after. As tensions in the region escalated, Bahrain sprang into a state of alert. At 8:52 PM, the all-clear siren signalled the end of danger. There were no casualties reported from the incident.
There’s a lot of misinformation out there, so make sure you stick to credible channels of information, enable notifications on the government app and, more importantly, stay calm.
Bahrain’s airspace was temporarily closed as Iran deployed its missiles to target US bases in the GCC. The missiles entered Qatar’s airspace and were intercepted by its Air Defence. Bahrain, meanwhile, sounded the first alarm and sent regular notifications through the MyGov application, preparing citizens and residents for an emergency.
Jump to: Enabling Notifications on the MyGov application
One of the first notifications to residents and citizens was to keep away from the main roads to allow authorities to pass through: “In light of the recent developments in the regional security situation, we urge citizens and residents to use main roads only when necessary, to maintain public safety, and to allow the relevant authorities to use the roads efficiently,” read the MOI statement.
MOI’s directives on the My Gov app advised citizens and residents to follow immediate precautions in the event of a loud explosion or after sounding the siren.
“If you hear an explosion or a siren while driving, adhere to the designated speed limits and drive carefully. Clear the left lane to avoid accidents. Continue driving and make way for the emergency vehicles, including civil defence, ambulance, traffic police, and security patrols, so they can carry out their duties. Tune into official radio and television channels for updates. Seek shelter in the nearest building or take cover in a safe, enclosed area until the danger has passed.”
The American, Indian, British, and several other Embassies in Bahrain immediately posted messages on their social media pages, encouraging calm during the hour-long situation. “There is no information about Bahrain having been targeted,” the US Embassy’s message read.
The Ministry of Interior and the National Civil Protection Platform circulated advisories to create safe rooms at home in case of emergencies. The room should be easily accessible, preferably located on the ground floor or at the centre of the house. It should be safe and have no windows, with enough space to store essential food supplies and necessities.
With airspace in Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Bahrain remaining closed for a while, several flights were cancelled and/or diverted. At around 11:00 PM, Bahrain’s airspace was completely reopened. Qatar’s airspace continues to remain closed.
While the situation seems to have been diffused immediately with no loss of lives or extreme damage in Qatar, Bahrain and the neighbouring GCC countries, there are security measures
you can take to stay informed, alert, and prepared as regional tensions subside.
READ MORE: All You Need To Know About Bahrain’s Updated Emergency Measures
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