Activists seek Kerry’s attention on Iran’s ploys

Manama : Activists in the Kingdom have urged US Secretary of State John Kerry to turn his attention towards the issue of Iran exporting terror into the Gulf region. 

The Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) has launched an online campaign in which, people are urged to use the hashtag #KerryinBahrain and share what they like about Bahrain. The campaign is designed to tackle the antigovernment efforts to tarnish Bahrain’s reputation.  

The Bahraini group, Citizens of Bahrain, released an open letter to Kerry, highlighting Iran’s threat to the Middle East region. 

“Throughout 2015, numerous weapons smuggling operations, terrorist networks and security threats were uncovered. All of these had clear Iranian footprints and those sentenced on terrorist charges were found to have received Iranian training, funding and direction,” the letter said.  

The letter pointed out that many suspects were sentenced in absentia after they sought refuge in Tehran. 

“Only two weeks ago Revolutionary Guards Commander General Saeed Qassimi, a close ally of Ayatollah Khamenei, gave a speech calling for the annexation of Bahrain. We call for threats against Bahrain and its allies to be taken seriously,” the letter said. 

The letter added that Bahrain hopes the US would provide tangible support for reconciliation efforts.

“The illiberal and inflammatory narratives of ISIS, Hezbollah and sectarian militants have never been a greater threat to young people in the region. The threats by ISIS against Shia places of worship and against the Bahraini state itself should be taken seriously,”  Citizens of Bahrain stated in the open letter.