Attack on Muharraq fuel tanks ‘hostile aggression’ against civilian infrastructure

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

An attack on fuel tanks at a facility in Muharraq has been described by lawyer Jassim Al Essa as a breach of Bahrain’s sovereignty and a threat to public safety, after what he said was a hostile strike on civilian infrastructure.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Al Essa said the assault on the site in Muharraq was “blatant aggression” and said it struck at both the state’s sovereignty and the safety of the public.

He said fuel and energy sites that serve daily civilian needs could not lawfully be treated as military targets.

Needs

“These facilities are not military targets, but sites that serve society and secure its basic needs,” he said. “Any attack on them is condemned by every legal and humanitarian standard.”

Al Essa said the incident should not be seen as an isolated act, but as an attempt to shake public calm and unsettle Bahrain. Even so, he said such acts would not break the country’s resolve.

“Such acts only make Bahrainis more united and more determined to protect their country and rally around their leadership and national institutions,” he said.

He said the strike also breached the rule requiring respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs.

The lawyer added that this left the international community with a duty to speak out and take a stand in defence of regional stability and collective security.

Response

Al Essa also pointed to the response inside Bahrain, saying the speed and skill shown by the competent authorities in dealing with the incident showed a high state of readiness in protecting lives, property and key facilities.

“The safety of the homeland and the security of society are a red line that cannot be compromised,” he said.

Bahrain, he added, would remain protected by “the unity of its people and the vigilance of its institutions”.