At least 32 people were injured in an Iranian drone attack on the island of Sitra in Bahrain, according to the country’s state media and health authorities. The strike, which occurred amid escalating regional tensions, reportedly targeted areas near residential neighborhoods and key infrastructure, leaving civilians—including several children—among the victims.

The Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported that four individuals were seriously injured and required urgent surgery. Among the most critically affected were a 17-year-old teenager, an 8-year-old child, a 7-year-old child, and a two-month-old infant. Authorities confirmed that all of the victims were Bahraini citizens and were receiving treatment at local hospitals.

According to official reports, the drones caused significant damage to residential buildings and nearby areas on Sitra, an industrial island east of the capital Manama that hosts important energy facilities, including one of the Gulf region’s oldest oil refineries. Emergency teams quickly responded to the scene, transporting the injured and assessing structural damage to homes and infrastructure.

Bahraini officials condemned the attack as a violation of national sovereignty and an act of aggression against civilians. Authorities also warned residents to remain cautious and avoid affected areas as security forces and emergency responders continue their investigations and recovery operations.

The incident comes as part of a broader escalation of conflict across the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. In recent days, Iranian missiles and drones have targeted several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, raising fears that the conflict could expand across the region.

Since the start of the hostilities, Bahrain’s air defense systems have intercepted dozens of incoming missiles and drones aimed at the kingdom. However, some attacks have still caused damage and civilian casualties, highlighting the growing security risks facing Gulf nations as tensions continue to intensify.

International leaders have called for restraint and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. Nevertheless, the drone strike on Sitra underscores the widening impact of the conflict, with civilians increasingly caught in the crossfire of regional military confrontations.