In 2011, Bahrain experienced widespread anti-government protests led largely by its Shia majority seeking political reform and greater equality as part of the Arab Spring demonstrations. At the Bahraini government’s request, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) agreed to send troops to help protect strategic sites and support security operations. As part of that intervention, around 1,000 Saudi Arabian troops and additional forces from the United Arab Emirates entered Bahrain via the King Fahd Cau