Explosions Rock Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait Hosting US Military Forces

A series of explosions rocked several Arab Gulf nations hosting US military bases on Saturday, 28 February local time. Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Kuwait all reported multiple explosions following US and Israeli military strikes against Iran.

The Bahrain News Agency, as reported by CNN and The Guardian on 28 February 2026, stated that the Fifth Fleet Service Centre of the US Navy in Bahrain had “become the target of a missile attack”. Iran’s Fars news agency separately reported that ballistic missiles had been launched against US military bases in Bahrain.

Bahrain is a key US ally in the Persian Gulf region and serves as the permanent headquarters for the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the capital Manama. Videos circulating online showed plumes of smoke rising from the direction of the US Naval base in Bahrain. According to a US official quoted by CNN, the base was struck by Iranian missiles.

Residents of the UAE reported hearing loud explosions in the capital Abu Dhabi following US and Israeli strikes against Iran. Abu Dhabi also hosts US military personnel at a military installation. Emirati authorities announced the temporary and partial closure of their airspace as a precautionary measure.

In Qatar, local officials reported that two Iranian missiles were intercepted whilst in flight over Qatari airspace. The missile strikes are believed to constitute retaliation from Tehran for the US-Israeli air strikes. Reports from AFP journalists in Qatar also noted that multiple explosions were heard in the capital Doha.

The Guardian reported that a series of explosions also occurred in Kuwait, which also houses several US military bases. An estimated 13,500 US troops are stationed in the country.