US, Turkey, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan, stage joint war game in Bahrain

The US-led war game, codenamed Main Connection 2012, was held from April 8 to 18, and the military forces of the US and the other nine states, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan, participated in it.

Since the beginning of the revolution in Bahrain in February 2011, large numbers of anti-government protesters have poured into the streets across the oil-rich state, demanding more rights, freedom and wide-ranging political reforms in the authoritative political system of their country.

Scores of people have lost their lives and many have sustained injuries in Bahrain as a result of the continuing systematic clampdown on the anti-regime rallies, and the deployment of foreign forces to stifle public demands. Thousands more have been arrested or expelled from their jobs.

Bahraini demonstrators hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the death and imprisonment of the protesters.

Bahrain is the location of the Middle East headquarters for the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. The Bahraini royal family is closely allied with the United States.