Bahrain adopts 'measures to counter Iran interference'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 February 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Bahrain adopts 'measures to counter Iran interference', 21 February 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/570cdf42b.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 21, 2016
Bahrain's interior minister says the Sunni-ruled kingdom has adopted measures to counter Iran's "interference."
These include forming a committee to monitor money transfers and donations to combat the "financing of terrorism" and imposing travel restrictions on citizens to "unsafe countries," Sheikh Rashid al-Khalifa told a meeting with clerics, lawmakers, and other dignitaries on February 21.
The official BNA news agency quoted Sheikh Rashid as saying the authorities will also confront any "attempts to politicize" Shi'ite religious rituals.
Bahrain's Shi'ite majority often uses the annual ceremony commemorating Ashura to call for political reforms such as transforming the kingdom into a constitutional monarchy.
Bahrain has previously announced the dismantling of "terror" cells whose members it said were trained by Iran and Lebanon's Shi'ite movement Hizballah.
Bahrain, home to the U.S. 5th Fleet, has been shaken by Shi'ite-led unrest since 2011.
Based on reporting by BNA and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
