Bahrain Mirror- Exclusive: The Middle East Monitor website said that "in the latest push to strengthen economic and military ties in the Arabian Gulf, Britain is set to open a naval base in Bahrain next month."

The base, which is located in the Mina Salman Port, will be used by the Royal Navy and Special Forces.

The British government believes that the Bahrain base will help the armed forces to send larger warships to the Gulf. According to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, this will "reinforce stability" in the region.

The base, which is worth nearly £40 million, will house up to 600 military personnel. Bahrain has paid over £30 million to open the facility, with Britain contributing around £7.5 million.

In 2012, facilities at the port were offered to Britain's then Defence Secretary Philip Hammond to store equipment and launch secret missions. It will now be used as a forward operating base and a place for planning, storing equipment for naval operations and accommodating Royal Navy personnel. Troops from the British Army and Royal Air Force may also use it.

Arabic Version