Bahrainis Start Weeklong Protests against US Arms Shipment to Manama Regime
The Bahraini people started a new round of protests to show their strong condemnation of the US resumption of arms shipments to the Arab country’s tyrannical rulers.
The Coalition of the Youth of the February 14th Revolution, a key opposition coalition in Bahrain, said people have dedicated this week’s protests to their condemnation of Washington’s renewed shipments of weapons cargos to Bahrain’s suppressive regime.
The opposition coalition also asked people in the Persian Gulf island to stage nationwide rallies this week in support of the Bahraini activists prosecuted by the country’s repressive regime.
The US State Department announced last week that Washington will resume military sales to Bahrain despite the Arab regime’s heavy crackdown on protesting people.
The Obama administration notified the Congress that certain sales would be allowed for Bahrain’s defense force, coast guard and national guard, the department said in a statement.
“We have made the decision to release additional items to Bahrain mindful of the fact that there are a number of serious unresolved human rights issues that the government of Bahrain needs to address,” the statement said, implying that the US is well aware of the Al-Khalifa regime’s clampdown on people, but it is resolved to help the dictator.
The State Department did not give a total value for the items being released.
The decision was even criticized in the Congress. Senator Patrick Leahy wrote a provision Congress passed last year requiring the administration to consult lawmakers before allowing sales of teargas and other crowd-control items to governments of countries undergoing democratic transition in the Middle East.
“This arms sale sends the wrong message,” Leahy, a Democrat, said in a statement.
“The government of Bahrain has yet to respect the Bahraini people’s legitimate demands, or to hold accountable its own police and military officers for arresting, torturing and killing Bahraini protesters,” Leahy said.
The resumption of military sales follows a visit to Washington last week by Bahrain Crown Prince Salman Hamid al-Khalifa, who met US Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
Bahrain has been the host of US naval headquarters in the Persian Gulf for more than 60 years and is seen as a central bulwark for US efforts to confront Iran.
Human rights advocates have criticized Washington for its muted response to Bahrain’s crackdown contrasted with strong US public support for rebel and terrorist groups in Syria.
The Obama administration has been under pressure for sticking to Bahrain’s ruling family against popular protests by the country’s Shiite majority.
