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29 March 2024

Bahrain busts bid to smuggle C4 explosives

Budget deficit is forecast to rise from an estimated 3.7% of GDP in 2014 to 6.2% in 2015. (Shutterstock)

Published
By Wam

A joint counter-terrorism operation involving Bahraini security authorities has disrupted an attempt to smuggle high-grade explosives, automatic weapons, and ammunition into Bahrain.

The Ministry of Interior today announced that on July 15, the Bahrain Coast Guard, in coordination with the Police Aviation Unit and Bahrain Royal Naval Force, intercepted a vessel heading towards Bahrain after meeting another vessel just outside Bahrain's territorial waters.

Two Bahraini suspects on board were arrested. They were named as Mahdi Subah Abdulmohsen Mohammed, 30, and Abbas Abdulhussain Abdullah Mohammed, 30.

The ministry has confirmed that initial inquiries show that the first suspect, Mahdi Subah Abdulmohsen Mohammed, received military training in Iran during August 2013.

Authorities have said the training included the manufacturing and use of explosive ordinance and improvised explosive devices, as well as firearms training at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards' camp.

The suspects were also provided with funds to assist the failed smuggling operation.

The ministry said the two suspects arrested attempted to dispose off the materials they received off the coast of Bahrain; however, they were later recovered by the Bahraini Coast Guard and were found to contain a lethal mix of materials, including 43.8kg of the powerful explosive C4, eight automatic Kalashnikov assault rifles, 32 Kalashnikov magazines, ammunition and detonators.

The two suspects have admitted receiving the shipment from Iranian handlers outside Bahrain’s territorial waters.

Investigations have also revealed that Mahdi Subah Abdulmohsen Mohammed was recruited by a Bahraini citizen, Jaffar Ahmed Salman, currently a fugitive in Iran, and who is said to have facilitated travel, financing and training.

Two other individuals have been arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt have been named locally as Tawfeeq Ibrahim Ali, 34, and Jaffar Mirza Jaffar, 31.

The arrestees have admitted their involvement in two previous smuggling attempts that took place in 2013 and 2014.

This latest incident follows a number of failed attempts to smuggle explosive materials into Bahrain recently.

Last month the Bahraini Police announced the discovery of a weapons stash containing large quantities of internationally sourced explosives and bomb-making materials in the Dar Kulaib area, planned for use in terrorist attacks.

Authorities said those arrested have been referred to the Public Prosecution while investigations continue.

 

Pan-Arab parliament blasts Iran over statements against Bahrain
 

The speaker of the Arab Parliament has condemned Iran’s blatant interference in the domestic affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and other Arab countries and the statements made by the top Iranian leaders on Eid Al Fitr against the Arab Gulf state.

"The Iranian leadership's statements are a blatant aggression against the sovereignty and domestic affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain and are in violation of the principles of international law and respect for the sovereignty and independence of states," Ahmed Mohammed Al Jarwan said in a statement, adding that the Arab Parliament stresses that all Arabs are dissatisfied by these provocations and reject the poisons of sectarianism and takfir (the practice of declaring others apostates).

The speaker of the Cairo-based pan-Arab body demanded that Iran stop its statements and interference which reflect "acting in bad faith" and contradict the requirements for regional rapprochement and partnership and good-neighbour principles.

Commenting on Bahrain's announcement today that its authorities had disrupted an attempt on 15 July to smuggle high-grade explosives, automatic weapons and ammunition into the country by sea and arrested two Bahraini suspects, Al Jarwan denounced terrorist groups' activities aimed at damaging security and stability and stoking sectarian strife in the Gulf kingdom with support from "neighbouring countries"

The two suspects had admitted receiving the shipment from Iranian handlers outside Bahrain’s territorial waters, it said, adding that one of them had received funds and military training in Iran by its Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2013.

Al Jarwan demanded that the international community put pressure on Iran to put an end to its interference in the domestic affairs of Arabs and support for "groups seeking to damage the security and stability of Arab countries."

Ambassador Recall

Bahrain said earlier it had recalled its ambassador to Tehran for consultations after what it said were repeated hostile statements made by Iranian officials.

The statements were a reflection of Iran's unfriendly attitude towards the Gulf Arab monarchy and an interference in its internal affairs, a statement on Bahrain's state news agency BNA said.