Deadly Iran attacks on Saudi, Bahrain civilian sites may be war crimes, Amnesty International says

What Happened

On 2 March, between 02:00 and 03:00, two drones struck the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) in Al Hidd, Bahrain, where the civilian oil tanker MT Stena Imperative (owned by Sweden's Stena Bulk) was dry-docked for repairs. One Bangladeshi worker, SM Tareq, was killed, and two others were injured. On 8 March, at approximately 16:00, a drone hit a labour camp of the Al Twaik cleaning company in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, killing three Bangladeshi nationals (Musharaff Hussain, Abdullah Mamun, and Bachchu Mia) and wounding ten others, who were preparing to break their Ramadan fast. Witnesses stated no military forces were ever on site, though the IRGC later claimed to have targeted a radar system there; the camp is roughly 15 km from Prince Sultan Air Base. Amnesty International published an investigation based on six witness testimonies, family interviews, and 26 photos and videos, concluding that the attacks were likely carried out by Iran or its proxies using Shahed drones—low-altitude, long-range weapons capable of bypassing some air defence systems. The organization stated the strikes may constitute war crimes, given the direct targeting of civilians and civilian objects, and called on Iranian authorities to halt such attacks and ensure accountability and reparations for victims. Bahraini and Saudi authorities had previously restricted information on these incidents.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The documented strikes underscore the expanding reach of Iran's drone warfare against civilian targets in the Gulf, raising the risk of escalation and civilian harm in a volatile region. Amnesty's findings strengthen calls for international legal scrutiny, potentially influencing diplomatic and judicial processes. The incidents also highlight the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure near military sites and the strategic use of low-cost drones to circumvent advanced air defences, with implications for regional security planning.

Watch For

Responses from Iranian authorities to Amnesty's allegations; potential referrals to the International Criminal Court or UN human rights mechanisms; reactions from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and Western allies; and any shifts in Iranian drone policy or regional military postures, including possible retaliatory measures or enhanced air defence coordination.