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Growing Unrest in Bahrain, maybe Iranâs Behind It
From Geostrategy-Direct, requires subscriptionBahrain is concerned that authorities are losing control of the kingdom. Officials report growing unrest by a number of groups under the banner of social causes. Many of the demonstrations by the unemployed have ended violently. The kingdom has tried to respond to the problem of growing unemployment. But Bahrain doesnât have the riches of a Qatar or Saudi Arabia and the young are becoming increasingly restless. Demonstrators have even been assaulting police during rallies and sit-ins. In one case the protesters tried to storm the Interior Ministry itself. Of greatest concern to authorities is the growing unrest by the kingdomâs young unemployed. Rallies that were peaceful earlier this year have become increasingly violent. Authorities are being pressed to stop all such demonstrations, which have focused on the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry. For weeks, hundreds of protesters have staged a sit-in at the ministry. Bahraini intelligence is working furiously to figure out who is paying these young people to sit for hours outside government offices rather than look for work. The most obvious candidate is Iran, which has long fomented unrest in the Sunni kingdom, which has a Shiâite majority. Iran also has been seeking cracks in the U.S. military presence that surrounds Iran and Bahrain. The U.S. Fifth Fleet could be the first choice. Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-08-20 |
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