A Voice for the Voiceless

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Middle East

Manama, Bahraini–Bahraini officials have accused rebels opposed to the Gulf State regime of receiving training, including explosives training, from members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. According to the regime officials these rebels have received this training in order to carry out terror attacks inside of Bahrain.

Osama al-Oufi, Bahrain’s Chief Prosecutor, reported in a statement that the nation’s intelligence service has reported that “Bahraini Ahmed Mahfuz Moussawi, currently living in Iran, had planned terrorist bombing operations targeting institutions and places vital to the sovereignty and security of the kingdom.”

According to al-Oufi he is also accused of “jeopardising the safety and security of the kingdom, injuring persons, terrorising citizens and residents, disturbing public peace, spreading chaos, and preventing government institutions and authorities from performing their functions.”

According to the Prosecution investigations revealed that the main suspect in this case had attempted to arrange a meeting in Iraq in order to coordinate the smuggling of shipments of explosives and weapons. Al-Oufi said “Based on the findings of the investigations, the public prosecution issued an arrest and search warrant against the accused and search their homes and properties, to seize any weapons and explosives found in their possession, and any items related to their criminal activities. Surveillance of the movements of the terrorist group led to the arrest of two of its members who were on a boat receiving weapons, munitions and explosives to be smuggled from a boat at sea into the country. Three other accused group members were also arrested.”

Al-Oufi stated that five people have been arrested who have “admitted joining a group to carry out terrorist attacks” he added that these suspects have also admitted to traveling to Iran in order to receive “training in Revolutionary Guards camps and then received sums of money.”

The Gulf state is currently led by elite members of the minority Sunni population. However, since members of the Shia majority led an uprising against the state, calling for democratic reforms, members of the majority Shia opposition have continued to call for reforms. Since 2011 the Bahraini state has accused Iran, a Shia regime, of being behind the opposition movement.

Confessions given to Bahraini police officials have been under fire in recent years. Widespread and excessive force, including confessions under duress and torture, was detailed in a report by an international human rights commission led by Cherif Bassiouni. The Bahraini regime has claimed it is taking steps to address these concerns. However, human rights activists claim these abuses continue in the Gulf State.

For More Information Please See:

Al Jazeera – Bahrain Accuses Iran of Training Rebels – 3 January 2014

Gulf News – Bahrain Suspects ‘Trained at Iran Camps’ – 2 January 2014

Reuters – Bahrain Says Probing Torture Claims by Men Jailed in Bombs Case – 31 December 2013

Reuters – Analysis: Bahrain Impasse Risks More Instability in 2014 – 31 December 2013

By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East 

BEIRUT, Lebanon-A suspected car bomb has caused a massive explosion at a Hezbollah stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut.  The explosion occurred in the Haret Hrek district during rush hour.

Images of the explosion appeared on Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV show depicting firefighters putting out multiple cars on fire.  The footage also showed one building with its façade blown off and also damage to several other neighboring buildings.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry has reported that at least five people were killed and as many as twenty wounded from the blast.

“Suddenly, the whole area went bright and we started running away.  I saw two bodies on the street, one of a woman and another of a man on a motorcycle was totally deformed,” reported Ali Oliek, an accountant who works in a nearby office.

Authorities brought in bomb sniffing dogs, and at one point announced that there was the possibility of another bomb in the vicinity, sending crowd members into frenzy.  Hezbollah security agents and Lebanese troop worked together to block off the area to keep out the angry crowds surrounding the blast sight.

“There are a large number of people trying to get to the explosion site but security forces are trying to keep people away.  They fear there might be another bomb, another attack,” reported Rula Amin, an Aljazeera reported located in Beirut.

“This is the heart of the Hezbollah stronghold and it’s considered a safe zone but not anymore.  It seems like the bomb is not big but this area is very crowded and there are a lot of people on the streets at this time of the day.  Security in that area is usually very tight, so to be able to put that car bomb there is a major violation,” continued Amin

This attack is one of several that have occurred in Beirut over the last few months, including one last week.  In November, twenty five people were killed by a suicide bombing at the Iranian embassy in southern Beirut.  Explosions have also occurred in other nearby Hezbollah districts in Sunni Mosques in the northern city of Tripoli.

“This is a big battle against terrorism, it targets everyone.  It doesn’t matter where they are from.  The perpetrators are trying to incite violence among the Lebanese people,” stated Ali Hassan Khalil, the Lebanese health minister.

Tensions between sectarian groups in Lebanon have increased due to the civil war in neighboring Syria.

For more information, please see the following: 

Al Jazeera-Deadly explosion hits Lebanese capital-2 January 2014

Deutsche Welle-Deadly explosion hits Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut-2 January 2014

Sky News-Deadly Blast Rocks Lebanese Capital Beirut-2 January 2014

USA Today-Deadly blast hits south Beirut neighborhood-2 January 2014