DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (PA) – The United States called Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates “major security partners” early Saturday, a hitherto unheard of designation for the two countries where major US military operations are taking place.
A White House statement linked the appointment to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which is normalizing ties with Israel, saying it “reflects their extraordinary courage, determination and leadership.” He also noted that the two countries have long participated in US military exercises.
It is unclear what the designation means for Bahrain, an island kingdom off Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf and the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhs that hosts Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Bahrain hosts the 5th US Navy fleet, while the port of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates is the busiest port of call for American warships outside the US Bahrain hosts about 5,000 American soldiers, while the UAE hosts 3,500 , many at Al-Dhafra air base.
The United States already uses the term “non-NATO major ally” to describe its relationship with Kuwait, which hosts the US Army Central Command. This designation gives a country special financial and military considerations for non-NATO nations. Bahrain is also a non-NATO ally.
The US military headquarters and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The 5th Fleet sent questions to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The nomination for the White House comes in the last days of President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump has forged close ties with the Arab countries in the Gulf during his term, in part, in connection with his tough stance on Iran. This triggered a series of growing 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 in resolving a years-long boycott of Qatar, another Arab nation in the Gulf, which hosts Al-Udeid Air Base, which hosts the operation of the Central Command. The boycott began in the early days of Trump’s term after visiting Saudi Arabia on his first trip abroad.
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