DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Bahraini authorities have arrested several suspects in the wake of a deadly bombing targeting police in the strategically important island kingdom.

The official Bahrain News Agency quoted the public security chief, Maj. Gen. Tariq al-Hassan, announcing the arrests Wednesday. He did not provide further details.

Police say the remotely detonated blast early Tuesday in Sitra, south of the capital Manama, targeted a bus carrying policemen near a primary school for girls.

Two police officers were killed and six were wounded.

Bahrain is a Sunni-ruled kingdom that is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. It has faced years of clashes between anti-government activists and police following widespread 2011 protests that were led by its Shiite majority calling for greater political rights. Several small bombs have targeted police in recent years.