Regional Capitals, July 17 (SANA)Bahrain said on Friday that its air defenses intercepted severalIranian aerial attackstargeting the kingdom, while coalition forces in Iraq shot down eight explosive-laden drones over Erbil and a commercial tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman.

Bahrain’s Defense Force said in a statement that its air defenses had intercepted and destroyed several Iranian missiles and drones targeting the kingdom, accusing Tehran of continuing attacks against civilians.

The military said all of its units remained on high alert and urged the public to avoid suspicious objects or debris from the attacks and report them to the authorities. It added that Royal Field Engineering Unit personnel were ready to safely dispose of unexploded remnants.

Bahrain‘s General Command said the use of missiles and drones against civilians and private property constituted a violation of international humanitarian law. It noted that Bahraini air defenses had also intercepted Iranian missiles and drones on Wednesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile,Iraq‘s Kurdistan Region Counter-Terrorism Service said international coalition forces shot down eight explosive-laden drones over Erbil early on Friday, adding that no casualties were reported.

The incident came two days after Iraqi authorities said a drone had crashed at al-Faw Port in the southern province of Basra.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a commercial tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while sailing about 19 nautical miles east of Khasab,Oman.

The agency said the vessel’s crew was safe and that no environmental damage had been reported.

The latest incident follows a similar attack reported by UKMTO on July 7, when a tanker caught fire after being hit by an unidentified projectile off Oman’s coast.

Maritime security risks have increased around theStrait of Hormuzsince the outbreak of theU.S.-Israeli-Iran conflict, with international shipping authorities reporting attacks, interceptions and detentions involving commercial vessels and oil tankers, disrupting regional shipping and driving up marine insurance costs.kA.ABD