Brutal Bahraini State Terror
By Stephen Lendman
2-26-12
For over a year, Saudi and Al-Khalifa monarchy security forces terrorized
nonviolent protesters. Thousands braved tear gas, beatings, rubber bullets,
live fire, arrests, torture and disappearances.
Washington's very much involved. Bahrain's the home of America's Fifth
Fleet. Millions of dollars in aid's provided. So are weapons, including
armored vehicles, bunker buster missiles, wire-guided ones, and more. A
Pentagon statement said:
They'll "improve Bahrain's capability to meet current and future armored
threats. Bahrain will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional
threats and to strengthen its homeland defense."
In fact, Bahrain faces no external threats. Except for
Western/Israeli-targeted Syria, Iran, and Lebanon, neither do other Middle
East states. Yet Washington's selling fighters, missiles, and other advanced
weapons to regional allies.
In late December, a Saudi F-15 fighter deal was announced worth nearly $30
billion. Other plans include Iraq weapons sales worth around $11 billion.
Israelis, of course, get billions of dollars in aid annually, including
Americas most advanced weapons and technology. At the same time,
Washington's belligerently expanding its Middle East footprint.
Thousands of Iraqi troops remain. Others were repositioned. Kuwait
contingents increased. Libyan bases are planned, and close ties continue
with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and other regional states for future air,
ground, and naval combat missions.
Notably, Bahraini activists published photos showing US troops training
state security forces in crackdown tactics. In addition, former New
York/Philadelphia/Miami Police chief John Timoney's involved.
Occupy Miami organizer Mohammed Malik told Press TV he's currently training
Bahraini forces. His record includes repressive crackdowns against Miami
global justice protesters, Philadelphia ones at the 2000 Republican National
Convention, and other brutality in New York. For years, he terrorized city
residents where he worked.
On February 16, London Guardian writer Ryan Devereaux headlined, "John
Timoney: the notorious police chief sent to 'reform' forces in Bahrain,"
saying:
For three decades, he was New York City police chief before heading up
Philadelphia and Miami departments. He was hired along with former UK
assistant top cop John Yates.
Timoney critics cite years of "police abuse, illegal infiltration tactics,
fear-mongering, and a blatant disregard for freedom of expression."
His methods include "pepper spray, rubber bullets, bean bag rounds, Tasers,
electrified shields, batons," beatings, and mass arrests. Florida ACLU
executive director Howard Simon called his Bahrain presence "extremely
unsettling. I'm concerned for the people of Bahrain with Timoney directing
how police there are controlling crowds."
On February 15, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) said brutal
crackdowns continue. Saudi and Bahraini security forces attack nonviolent
protesters daily. Stun grenades, shotguns, water cannons, and tear gas are
used. When fired in closed places, it's asphyxiating.
On February 7, six US citizens were arrested. Held in police custody for
days, they were deported in handcuffs for the duration of their
Bahrain/London flight.
On February 17, Press TV reported "a fierce overnight crackdown on
anti-regime protesters across several regions of the country." Manama, Daih,
Ma'ameer, Sitra, Sehla and other areas were attacked.
Earlier in the day, police used water cannons against thousands protesting a
teenage boy's death. In Jidd Hafs, he died of severe burns inflicted while
demonstrating peacefully.
Women were also assaulted. Homes were raided. Since February 2011 protests
erupted, mass arrests, deaths, torture, imprisonments, and other abuses
followed.
On February 17, Amnesty International (AI) issued an "urgent action" for
"scores" of activists arrested on February 14, saying:
Police attacked, beat and arrested them. Their faces and legs showed signs
of abuse. In custody, families have no contact with loved ones. Authorities
freely torture and inflict other forms of abuse.
On February 17, Human Rights First said Mahdi Abu Deeb and Jaleela Al Saman
(Bahrain Teachers Association president and vice president) will appeal
their lawless military court convictions for protesting peacefully.
In custody, they were "tortured and ultimately convicted of unfounded
charges and sentenced to prison by the discredited Bahrain military court."
Hundreds of others faced the same abuse.
"Bahrain's crackdown and these baseless prosecutions continue as the United
States considers a new military transfer to Bahrain." Obama's moving swiftly
to approve it instead of condemning state terror.
Bahrain's a valued ally. While hypocritically vilifying Assad for
confronting Western-backed insurgents, Washington facilitates Al-Khalifi
brutality.
A Final Comment
In summer 2010, sporadic protests began. Since mid-February 2011, major ones
erupted. Thousands of Bahrainis challenged repressive Al-Khalifa rule
nonviolently. Anti-government demonstrations continue daily.
In mid-March, Saudi forces invaded guns blazing. With Bahraini police,
they've terrorize protesters repressively, including women, children,
doctors, journalists, human rights activists, and foreign observers.
On February 13, 2012, Bahrain chief of public security General Tariq
Al-Hassan said police presence would continue to confront "unlawful or
violent acts of sabotage" even though none whatever are committed.
Despite extreme security force brutality, Bahrainis remain scrupulously
nonviolent. Nonetheless, they're brutally attacked. Minority Sunnis violate
majority Shia rights. Bahrainis demand change. The monarchy yields nothing.
Washington extends support.
King Hamad blames Iran for fomenting protests. So do Saudis for growing
unrest in the kingdom. Heightened tensions suggest likely belligerent
intervention ahead. At issue is replacing Tehran's government with a
repressive pro-Western one like in Bahrain, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and other
Arab League states.
Throughout the region, Washington backs state terror to achieve it. It's
official policy for unchallenged regional dominance, no matter the body
count, vast destruction and human misery.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at
lendmanstep...@sbcglobal.net.
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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