🔗 Share this article Iran Claims Assault on American Facility in Bahrain, Amid Widespread Military Operations. Plumes of black smoke were seen rising over an area proximate to the headquarters of the American Fifth Fleet. Iranian forces say they have struck a American military facility in Bahrain, as the country executed operations throughout the Middle East in retaliation for a "massive" and ongoing offensive targeting the nation by the US and Israel. Large columns of dark smoke were observed billowing from an zone near the headquarters of the American Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. The scope of any damage is not yet known and the US has remained silent. Missile Defenses Activated Elsewhere across the region, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait - which all house US military bases - reported they have shot down missiles in their territorial skies. In the Qatari capital, Qatar's defence ministry announced it had successfully engaged several missiles seemingly aimed at the al-Udeid air base, the largest American base in the Middle East. Iran's Declared Retaliation The Iranian Revolutionary Guard said in a statement it was attacking US bases and assets as part of military campaign "Truthful Promise 4", in reprisal for the offensive on the Islamic Republic initiated by the United States and its ally Israel on Saturday morning. That preceding assault - initiated at around 06:15 GMT - has so far targeted areas linked to the Iranian leadership, with President Trump calling on the Iranian people to rise up against the government. Regional Fallout In Israel, air raid sirens sounded across the country after the Israeli military said it had identified an incoming Iranian missile barrage. The Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates stated that the nation has been targeted by a "a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles". "Emirati air defenses engaged the missiles with notable success and successfully intercepted a number of missiles," the statement continued. Officials reported debris landed in a residential area in the capital, resulting in some material damage and killing a civilian. The US Air Force operates from Al Dhafra Air Base, to the south of Abu Dhabi, along with the UAE Air Force.