the saudi-led intervention in bahrain began on 14 march 2011 to assist the bahraini government in suppressing an anti-government uprising in the country. the intervention came three weeks after the u.s. pressured bahrain to withdraw its military forces from the streets. as a decision by gulf cooperation council (gcc), the intervention included sending 1,000 (1,200) troops with vehicles from saudi arabia at the invitation of the al-khalifa ruling family, marking the first time the gcc used such a collective military option for suppressing a revolt.