No siege in Bahrain Embassy

Manama : The Bahraini Embassy in Baghdad was not sieged by Iran-backed militias as reported by regional news agencies on Saturday.

“The Ministry notes that the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Baghdad was not under siege,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry tweeted.

The Ministry clarified further, saying that “There was a protest for a few hours and the Iraqi authorities secured all entrances and exits of the embassy.”

This followed several reports stating that “Iran-backed militias have surrounded the Bahraini Embassy in Baghdad and cheered against Bahrain’s decision to revoke the citizenship of Isa Qassim, who was convicted of being involved in cases that harm the Bahraini national security.”

Commenting on the matter, Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said on his official Twitter page, “The Bahraini Embassy in Baghdad wasn’t sieged in at any time. The Iraqi security authorities have done its duties.”

Bahraini social media networks widely discussed the matter, with several calls being circulated to organise protests near the Iraqi Embassy in Manama, while others made harsh statements against the Iraqi Ambassador to the Kingdom.

The Minister replied to these statements saying, “The ambassadors to the Kingdom of Bahrain shouldn’t be insulted.”

Al Arabiya news agency quoted the Bahraini Ambassador in Iraq Salah Al Maliky saying, “The Kingdom of Bahrain is a country of co-existence and openness to all. But, it’s also a country of sovereignty and laws. No one is above the law and the constitution. Everyone should respect Bahrain’s right in preserving its security, stability, unity and social cohesion.”