Detentions continue in Bahrain, Saudi-UAE conflict in Yemen escalates
The political stability of the Gulf region has, once again, been compromised. This time, the threat has come from two powerful member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The United Arab Emirates has said it will withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen, after Saudi Arabia backed a demand from the Yemeni presidential council for them to leave within 24 hours. The Emirati announcement followed an air strike by a Saudi-led military coalition on what it said was a weapons shipment for UAE-backed separatist forces in the southern port of Mukalla. The UAE denied the shipment contained weapons and expressed “deep regret” at the Saudi accusations. Saudi and the UAE have been allies in the war against Yemen’s Ansarullah movement over the past decade, but the infighting between the rival factions they support has deepened a rift between them. The UAE withdrawal may herald an era of internal fighting among the GCC countries.
On Monday 5th January, the forces of the khalifi regime in Bahrain were deployed in the town of Jidhafs to quell protests in support of the jailed political leader, Mr Hassan Mushaima. He is a native of the town and has been ill for several months in jail. He has not received adequate care and there are fears that the khalifis intentionally deny him his medical needs. In a phone call from his cell, Hassan Mushaima (78) appeared exhausted and unwell, revealing a serious deterioration in his condition. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for his immediate release. The khalifi torture officers summoned the sons of Mr Mushaima and threatened them with an attack on their house if they did not disperse the crowd outside. Many people had gathered at the house to support the family as Mr Mushaima’s medical needs are ignored by the regime’s prison officers. The sons refused the order arguing it is not their duty or ethical stand to ask visitors to leave. His health is rapidly deteriorating after 15 years of unlawful imprisonment. Regime’s forces roamed the town, searched many people and threatened others with violence
On Thursday 1st January, native youth Mohammed Taher Ahmed Al Zaaki, from Maqaba town, was arrested after he had attended the house of Mr Hassan Muahaima. Also, Mahdi Nasser, the grandson of Ayatullah Sheikh Isa Qassim was detained. Prayers were made for a speedy recovery of Mr Hassan Mushaima. As soon as he left the house the regime’s torturers were waiting to detain him. On Tuesday 30th December, Ali Ahmed Ibrahim, 23 from the town of Buri was arrested. In the early hours of that day regime’s forces raided his family’s house, terrorising the family and those in the neighbourhood. Also, Jawad Mirza Al Durazi, from Duraz town, was detained after he had been summoned by the torturers office. He was remanded in custody for one more week pending investigation.
On Saturday 3rd January regime’s forces detained a young citizen on his way to the airport. Ali Meftah had just got married and was planning to travel abroad to celebrate his honeymoon, two days after his marriage. His wife witnessed the arrest of her husband only for her happiness to turn into shock and sadness.
Scores of unemployed native Bahrainis have continued their daily protests outside the ministry of labour at Isa Town, demanding jobs. As unemployment continues to rise, so do the risks of more serious troubles as hunger bites in. The regime’s sectarian policies have led to many natives to lose their jobs, many of whom hold good educational degrees.
On Wednesday 31st December the Saudi regime arbitrarily beheaded three innocent citizens from the town of Awwamiya in the Eastern Province. Ahmed bin Hussain Abu Abdulla, Moosa bin Jaafar Al Samkhan and Reda bin Ali bin Mahdi Al Ammar were beheaded for their opposition the Saudi hereditary dictatorship.
Saudi aid worker Abdulrahman al-Sadhan remains forcibly disappeared, serving 20 years for peaceful satire on X. Over 15,000 have now signed the petition calling for his release. Also, Amani Al-Zain was arbitrarily arrested on 17 May 2020 by the Presidency of State Security on direct orders from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Her detention has continued with no public trial in sight.
The Committee to Defend Human Rights, a Saudi NGO has re-iterated its call for the immediate and unconditional release of detained religious scholars. They include: Sayed Hashim Al Shakhs (detained in December 2020), Sheikh Mohammed Al Habib, (detained June 2016), Sheikh Hussain Al Raadhi, (detained in June 2016) and Sheikh Hassan Al Khuwaildi (detained in January 2023). None of them had committed any crime, but they all called for political reform in the kingdom.
Young Saudi citizen, Abdulla Jelan has languished behind bars since his arrest in May 2021. He had published sarcastic comments via a fake account. He studied in the United States and upon his return to Saudi Arabia, the certification of his diploma was refused.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
7th January 2025