The Maldives government has joined the growing international chorus of condemnation following recent drone and missile attacks that struck civilian sites and critical infrastructure in Bahrain and Kuwait.
In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government characterised the assaults as a "blatant violation of sovereignty" and warned that such acts pose a serious threat to peace and stability across the Gulf region.
The Maldives expressed unwavering solidarity with the governments and peoples of both Bahrain and Kuwait, affirming its support for all measures undertaken to safeguard their sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. The statement emphasised that attacks targeting civilian infrastructure represent not only violations of international law but also endanger the lives and well-being of ordinary men, women, and children who bear no responsibility for regional geopolitical tensions.
Beyond mere condemnation, the government underscored the urgent necessity of preventing further military escalation in the region. Maldives called upon all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomatic engagement as the primary means of resolving disputes and reducing tensions.
An Iranian attack killed an Indian national and injured 63 people at Kuwait's international airport, forcing it to close temporarily, in the first deadly strike on the Gulf since an 8 April ceasefire came into place.
The attacks, which Kuwait says damaged unnamed diplomatic missions, test a ceasefire that has largely held despite sporadic strikes.
It largely halted more than a month of war, sparked by US and Israeli attacks on Iran, during which Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones at Gulf nations.
Iran accused Kuwait and Bahrain of allowing the United States to use their territory to launch attacks on an Iranian tanker and island.
Bahrain authorities said they had intercepted three missiles and a number of drones launched by Iran.