For Americans, Situation 'Normal' in Bahrain

The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet has issued a statement about the current situation in Bahrain and its effects on the activities of Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain). The base is reported to be at "ops normal." The Department of Defense school for American dependents is open. It does not believe the protests are aimed at the U.S. or its military presence in Bahrain.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain, Shana L. Kieran, advises by e-mail that they have received no reports of injuries or deaths to American citizens in the protests. The embassy has no indication that Westerners are being targeted.

Both the embassy and the military are cautioning Americans to limit their movements and to avoid areas where protests are occurring. American citizens in Bahrain are being advised to make use of the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This allows the embassy to have accurate records on the numbers of Americans in Bahrain as well as their plans so that the embassy can contact them in an emergency.

New reports from Bahrain are that the protesters have once again occupied the Pearl roundabout, a key highway junction in the center of the capital, Manama. The King of Bahrain has asked his son, the Crown Prince, to open talks with Shia leaders in an attempt to end the protests. The Prince is a graduate of the DoD school aboard NSA Bahrain and holds a four-year degree from American University in Washington. His master's is in history and philosophy from Cambridge University in England.

The protests and the bloodshed of a few days ago has the Formula 1 racing circuit assessing whether or not it will hold its race in Bahrain, currently scheduled for March 13. Circuit officials have left the decision up to Bahraini organizers, but news reports suggest that several racing teams oppose holding the race. The British Foreign Office is recommending against all nonessential travel to the kingdom at this time.

At this time, neither the American military nor the American embassy in Bahrain see a direct threat to Americans. For their safety, Americans are being urged by both authorities to limit travel and avoid protests. American travelers in Bahrain are urged to use the State Department's STEP program to let the embassy know their location and travel plans in the event that the situation changes.