MP sees Iranian connection Eker blast

Manama : The terrorist blast that occurred on Thursday night in East Eker, killing a Bahraini mother and injuring three of her children, was described by a Bahraini lawmaker as a “direct implementation” of the threats made by a commander in the Iranian army against Bahrain two weeks ago.

Parliament Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee Chairman Abdulla Binhowail linked the terrorist act to the recent statements made by Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, head of the elite Revolutionary Guards’ overseas operations arm, the Quds Force.

Following the implementation of several judicial and administrative decisions by the Bahrain, Suleimani had threatened that the government’s decisions will spark a “popular revolution in Bahrain and will leave no option for the people but to resort to armed resistance.”

His statements were widely condemned and considered as an attempt to “export the so-called Iranian Islamic Revolution” to other countries.

Binhowail said: “The Kingdom is entering a new stage of its war against terrorism, which is being carried out by the Iranian fifth column in Bahrain.

“Strict procedures taken by the Government to protect the Kingdom’s security were painful strikes to terrorism and sectarianism hotbeds in Bahrain. They’re now angered after their project to efface the Arabian identity of Bahrain and penetrate into the GCC State had failed.” 

He added, “The people of Bahrain can and will defy these systematic campaigns aiming to harm their gains and security.”

Binhowail appreciated the swift condemnation by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE of the terrorist attack, underlining that Bahrain is an integral part of the Arabian and GCC systems.