Bahrain arrests 116 linked to Iranian-backed terrorism

“By providing material, recruitment and training support to terrorists, the IRGC and its affiliates…in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are directly responsible for the intensification of terrorist activity in Bahrain,” the country stated. 

By: World Israel News Staff

Bahraini security forces have arrested 116 suspects in a sweep targeting alleged Shiite terrorists in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that the alleged terrorists planned to “target Bahraini officials, members of the security authorities and vital oil installations with the objective of disturbing public security and harming the national economy.”

The Interior Ministry says police seized explosives and weapons in their raids. It did not offer a timeframe for the arrests.

Bahrain regularly announces similar sweeps, blaming Iran for instigating and training terrorists.

Al-Arabiya news reported that the terror network was established by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The report also said that 48 of those arrested were trained in IRGC facilities in Iran, Iran and Lebanon. In Lebanon, some were trained by the Hezbollah terror organization.

The IRGC is entrusted with Iran’s foreign espionage and sabotage activities.

Bahrain’s official news agency stated that the individuals arrested are “suspected of a range of terror crimes, including planning and executing terror attacks as well as manufacturing, storing and transporting explosive devices.”

“By providing material, recruitment and training support to terrorists, the IRGC and its affiliates, including the Asaib Ahl al-Haq (League of Righteous People) in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are directly responsible for the intensification of terrorist activity in Bahrain,” the statement said.

The main terrorist leaders were named as Aqeel Al Sari, Murtadha Al Sindi and Qassim Al Muamen. All three are accused of recruiting terrorists in Bahrain, arranging firearms and explosives training, establishing secret warehouses and hideouts, and supplying terrorist groups with funding, firearms and explosives to carry out attacks.

The investigations also led to the discovery of a number of sites used to manufacture and store explosives intended for terror attacks.

“The General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science has referred the case to the Public Prosecutor,” the statement concluded.

Iran has so far remained silent on the charges, but has previously rejected accusations of running terror cells in Bahrain.

AP contributed to this report.