DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The United States called Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates ‘important security partners’ early Saturday, a previously unheard of name for the two countries where US military operations were large.
In a White House statement, the name was linked to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which normalized ties with Israel, saying it “reflects their extraordinary courage, determination and leadership.” It also noted that the two countries had long participated in U.S. military exercises.
It is unclear what the name means for Bahrain, an island nation outside Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, and the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhs, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, while the United Arab Emirates’ Jebel Ali port is the busiest trading post for U.S. warships outside the U.S. Bahrain, which houses about 5,000 U.S. troops, while the United Arab Emirates hosts 3,500 like, many of which at the Al-Dhafra air base.
The US already uses the term ‘major non-NATO ally’ to describe its relationship with Kuwait, which is the US military’s leading command. That designation gives a country special financial and military considerations for countries that are not part of NATO. Bahrain is also a non-NATO ally.
The U.S. military’s central command and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The 5th Fleet referred inquiries to the Department of State, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The White House designation comes in the last days of President Donald Trump’s administration. During his tenure, Trump forged close ties with the Arab countries in the Gulf, in part over his harsh stance on Iran. This has led to a series of escalating incidents between the countries after Trump unilaterally withdrew from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers.
It also comes after Bahrain and the UAE joined Egypt and Saudi Arabia to end a years-long boycott of Qatar, another Gulf Arab nation that is home to Al-Udeid Air Base, which is Central’s leading operating base. Command. This boycott began in the early days of Trump’s tenure after he visited Saudi Arabia on his first foreign trip.
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