MANAMA, 13 August 2004 — Families of US Navy staff will not be allowed back to Bahrain because of regional security concerns, despite Washington dropping a travel warning, a US Navy official said yesterday.
Washington ordered the evacuation of families of military personnel last month because of fears of militant attacks.
On Wednesday, the US State Department rescinded a separate travel warning that private US citizens defer travel to Bahrain and those already there consider leaving.
But a US Navy spokesman said there were still security concerns in the wider region. “My understanding is that there is still a travel advisory for the region in the Arabian Gulf,” William Speaks told Reuters.
“The decision taken regarding navy families and duty personnel families here in Bahrain was based more on regional security concerns and not only the travel advisory for Bahrain,” he said.
US officials have said one reason for issuing the July 3 travel warning was Bahrain’s release of six men suspected of planning attacks.
Bahrain took the six men back into custody on July 14 on charges of planning bombings against government targets and foreigners. It has since imposed a news blackout on the case.
