Bahrain Security Arrest Terrorists Affiliated with IRGC, Hezbollah and. Asaib Ahl al-Haq
Bahrain’s security authorities carried out a series of counter-terror operations resulting in the arrest of 116 suspected terrorists, whom were part of a network formed and supported by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) investigations revealed.
Several foreign terrorist entities including the IRGC and its affiliates, such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq (League of Righteous People) in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are directly responsible for providing material, and supporting recruitment and training missions. The investigations revealed that terror cells within the network were operating under the supervision of IRGC-affiliated groups and fugitive terrorist leaders in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.
48 of the arrestees had received training at IRGC facilities in Iran and their affiliated locations in Iraq and Lebanon. This allows the network to transfer their training know-how to young and susceptible youth to carry out future attacks.
The investigation began months prior to the initial apprehension of suspects in December 2017. This led to the capture of the rest of the suspects over the next three months, where the objectives of the network became clearer.
Investigations revealed that suspects were involved in planning and executing terrorist operations, as well as manufacturing, storing and transporting explosive devices. The planned attacks included targeting Bahraini officials, members of the security authorities and vital oil installations, with the objective of harming public security and the national economy.
The main terrorist leaders include Aqeel Al Sari, Murtadha Al Sindi and Qassim Al Muamen. All are responsible for recruiting terrorists in Bahrain, arranging firearms and explosives training for terrorists, establishing secret warehouses and hideouts, and suppling terrorist groups with funding, firearms and explosives.
The investigations also led to the discovery of a number of sites used to manufacture and store explosives. The crime scene team classified the seized items, including:
- Around 42kg of high-grade C4 and TNT
- • More than 757kg of urea nitrate
- • Kalashnikovs, pistols, ammunition and detonators
- • Magnetic bombs and grenades
- • Anti-personnel explosives as well as devices which can pierce armoured vehicles
- • Vehicles used for transporting explosives
- • Four fragmentation bombs which can be launched through an RPG and used to destroy light armoured vehicles. An examination by the forensic lab showed that three of the bombs matched the specifications of the PG7 manufactured by the Iranian ordnance factories
- The General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science has referred the case to the Public Prosecutor.
