Bahrain’s state oil company declared force majeure on Monday following Iranian strikes that ignited fires at its refinery, as calls mount for the release of political prisoners and those detained for exercising free expression amid escalating regional conflict.
The move by Bapco, Bahrain’s national oil company, halts shipments and underscores the widening economic impact of the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel, which entered its 11th day on Tuesday. Iran has retaliated against US bases and strategic assets across the region, including locations in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, according to reports.
Human rights advocates are focusing on the plight of detainees within Bahrain, citing increased risks to their safety as the country is repeatedly targeted by Iranian forces. Many prisoners are held for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including leaders of the 2011 pro-democracy protests who have been imprisoned for nearly 15 years. Recent detentions have occurred in connection with protests against the attacks on Iran and related social media activity.
Concerns are particularly acute for detainees with urgent healthcare needs. Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, a Danish-Bahraini human rights defender, and Sheikh Mohammed Habib al-Muqdad, a dual Swedish-Bahraini national, both arbitrarily detained since 2011, are in their 60s and suffer from health issues stemming from torture and prolonged imprisonment. Authorities have consistently denied them adequate medical care.
Prisoners at Dry Dock and Jau prisons have reported experiencing nearby explosions during Iranian attacks. Witnesses report damage to residential areas and to Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), an aluminum smelter located just 11 kilometers from Jau prison, where al-Khawaja and al-Muqdad are held. The situation raises fears of direct targeting of prisons, recalling the June 2025 Israeli strike on Evin prison in Iran, which was followed by enforced disappearances and ill-treatment of detainees.
On Sunday, at least two people were killed and 12 injured when a projectile struck a residential area in Saudi Arabia’s al-Kharj governorate, further illustrating the regional spillover of the conflict. Qatar intercepted Iranian Su-24 bombers approaching a major US military installation, while Bahrain reported an Iranian drone strike that injured at least 32 people on March 9th. Saudi Arabia intercepted four drones headed for the Shaybah oilfield, and the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait as well reported missile attacks.
Human Rights Watch has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily or unlawfully detained individuals in Bahrain, as well as the temporary release of others on humanitarian grounds. The organization emphasizes that no one should be detained for exercising their right to peaceful expression, particularly as Bahrain remains caught in the escalating conflict.
