Iron fist against ‘terror’

Manama : “Bahrain will strike with an iron fist against anyone who plans to undermine the security and integrity of the country or instil chaos, terrorism or hatred within the safe Bahraini society,” warned Minister of Information Affairs, Ali Al Rumaihi, yesterday. 

The minister, in an interview to London-based Al Sharq Al Awsat, said the Kingdom has entered a new phase in which there will be no compromise with the heads of sedition and terrorism. 

“The Kingdom will not tolerate any attempts to threaten its security and stability or rupture legitimacy using foreign help,” the minister said.

“Thanks to their efficiency and sacrifices, the security agencies have finally managed to arrest 286 suspects and convicted individuals in terror-related cases, some of whom were hiding in the home of Isa Qassem, in Duraz village. They included convicts who had escaped from the Jaw prison, killed or attacked on-duty policemen and possessed and used weapons, explosives and explosive devices,” he said.

“The security forces succeeded in restoring the situation, eased traffic and removed all  obstacles and barricades in the area that had been turned into a hideout and a gathering place for fugitives,” he added. 

Al Rumaihi said that the  operations were conducted with the highest levels of self-restraint and in accordance with human rights standards,  “although their lives were at risk in the confrontations with the terrorists who hurled grenades and iron rods at them, resulting in the injury of 31 policemen and the death of five outlaws.”

Al Rumaihi also expressed special pride in the honourable stands of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations. 

“It is a clear affirmation that the security of the Arab Gulf is indivisible and inseparable,” he pointed out adding: “It will remain as an impenetrable barrier against Iran’s interference which has been again exposed through the aggressive statements by its leaders.” The minister also called for the conjugation of the efforts to deter Iran’s terrorism and to dry up the financial and intellectual resources of extremist groups.