Bahrain seizes arms, arrests suspects for ‘Iran and Iraq links’

In a statement displayed on Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry website, the decision to pull its ambassador came about “in light of continued Iranian meddling in the affairs of the kingdom of Bahrain…in order to create sectarian strife and to impose hegemony and control”.

Iran supports acts of “sabotage and terrorism” in the country, the statement added, accusing Tehran of forming and arming “terrorist groups” and providing them with refuge.

Bahrain, which is home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, was swept by protests during the 2011 “Arab Spring” uprisings in which Shi’ites demanded political reforms. It may be mentioned that Bahrain has majority Shiite Muslim population but rulers are Wahabi Sunni.

Bahraini police has uncovered more than 1.5 tons of explosive materials and a large bomb-making factory in two separate locations in a residential area south of the capital Manama, the interior ministry said on Wednesday.

The cache included a tonne and a half of C4 explosives and other explosive material, as well as automatic rifles, pistols, and hand grenades, according to the ministry.

Chief of Police Major-General Tariq Al Hasan, said: “This significant discovery marks yet another disturbing incident in which relentless Iranian actions are attempting to undermine security and stability within Bahrain and the wider region”.

The move comes a day after Bahraini authorities arrested a number of individuals suspected of having “terror” links to Iran. Bahrain and its major ally, Saudi Arabia, worry about growing Iranian influence in the Mideast.