Local resident caught in Bahrain amid escalating regional tensions

A government-issued alert sent to residents in Bahrain

A local resident from Macau is currently stranded in Bahrain amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following developments related to Iran, according to an exclusive interview with the Times.

The resident, who requested anonymity, described a situation marked by uncertainty, noting that while the area is relatively calm at the moment, sudden emergency alerts and the sound of missiles being fired to intercept incoming attacks have heightened anxiety.

“The situation is calm at the moment, but the increasing tension and uncertainty are undeniable. One moment, the firing stops; the next, emergency alerts ring on my phone, and I can hear missiles being fired to intercept incoming attacks,” he told the Times.

“The government of Bahrain has been diligently updating the public about potential attacks, and the hotel is one of the evacuation points, so I feel slightly safer. The attacks targeted the U.S. Navy fleet base in Juffair, which is around 4 to 5 kilometers away from where I am currently staying, so I could hear the missiles being fired from the island to intercept the attacks. I am visibly shaken and in distress due to the uncertainty.”

The banquet hall, where hotel guests gather when the alarm sounds

The resident said he is currently staying at a hotel where the team has been working to ensure our safety and to take care of all guests since the attacks began.

“I am now at the hotel’s evacuation center, where I am probably safest (no guarantees), but I am trying to keep a positive outlook despite the growing distress.”

“Since yesterday’s [Saturday] attacks, we have been following the directions of both the Bahraini government and the hotel staff. I have reached out to family and friends to update them on my current situation. A friend assisted me in calling the Macau government to inform them of my circumstances here in Manama. I received a callback not long ago and was given instructions on how to proceed, along with the contact details of the relevant department,” he said.

The resident reiterated that for the time being, all Gulf countries’ airspace is temporarily closed due to the missile attacks.

“Most flights arriving in or departing from the Gulf are either cancelled or diverted elsewhere,” he said, adding that the hotel team “assured us they will provide an update once the airspace opens up. When that happens, I will book the next flight back home. At the moment, air, maritime, and possibly land borders are closed.”