Bahrain Says 2 Soldiers Killed in Houthi Drone Attack

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The Facts

  • Bahrain’s military command said that Yemen's Houthi rebels killed a Bahraini officer and soldier in a drone attack on Monday while they were patrolling Saudi Arabia’s southern border with Yemen, with several other soldiers reportedly being wounded in the strike.

  • The internationally-recognized Yemeni government has condemned the attack, with Foreign Minister Ahmed Bin Mubarak saying he spoke with his Bahraini counterpart to offer his condolences and solidarity.


The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The Houthis should think twice about such treacherous and provocative acts. Last month, the Houthis attacked an electrical power distribution station and a police station in the border region, which only makes peace talks more difficult. Positive steps toward a lasting peace in Yemen are being made. However, the Houthis must avoid any military action that could enflame what is a very fragile situation.

Establishment-critical narrative

Though there's no need for this incident to escalate the situation, it should be made clear that the soldiers who were targeted were reportedly operating an artillery battery near the border and were firing into Yemeni territory and villages on a daily basis. Is this not a provocation? Either way, the Houthis are committed to ending the war in Yemen, and hopefully, both sides can move past unfortunate incidents such as this one.


Metaculus Prediction


Go Deeper


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO