Bahrain slams UK, US ‘interference’ over Shi’ite party dissolution

Bahrain on Monday dismissed as “unacceptable interference” U.S. and British criticism of its decision to dissolve the main Shi’ite Muslim opposition party, as senior clerics warned the Shi’ite majority was under threat.

Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet, said a court’s decision on Sunday to dissolve the al-Wefaq opposition group, accused of helping foster violence and terrorism, was “just” and “transparent”, state news agency BNA reported.

The move against al-Wefaq was one of several steps taken by the Sunni-led government against its opponents that have drawn international criticism, including revoking the citizenship of the country’s Shi’ite spiritual leader Ayatollah Isa Qassim.

Also read: Bahrain court dissolves main Shi’ite opposition group Wefaq

“Bahrain expresses its deep regret at the statements from the British foreign secretary and U.S. State Department and considers them as unacceptable interference in its internal affairs,” said BNA.

Close ally Britain expressed deep concern at Sunday’s ruling and a statement by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson urged Bahrain to guarantee political freedoms for all its citizens.

The U.S. State Department said the government’s recent steps to “suppress nonviolent opposition” undermined Bahrain’s and the region’s stability, and strained America’s partnership with its Gulf ally.

Bahrain said it wanted to take into account the interests of its allies and partners to preserve “distinctive and historical relations” with them.

The Gulf country has a Shi’ite majority but a Sunni Muslim-led government, mainly drawn from the ruling al-Khalifa family.

In a joint statement distributed on social media, Bahrain’s four main Shi’ite Muslim clerics warned that the government crackdown was not limited to the political opposition.

“We, the Shi’ites, as a main component of this homeland have become greatly convinced that we are being targeted in our existence, identity, beliefs, rituals and practices,” the statement, signed by Sheikh Abdullah al-Ghuraifi, Sheikh Abdul-Hussein al-Sitri, Sheikh Mohammed Saleh al-Rubaiyi as well as Qassim, said.

Also read: Bahrain imposes travel curbs in crackdown on opponents – activists

Bahrain’s justice ministry rejected the charges and vowed to keep up measures against what it said those who would try to divide the country on sectarian basis and finances terrorism.

“Everybody must support the measures taken by the state against those who violate the law, incite violence and are linked with forces abroad,” the ministry said in a statement.

Seen by other Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdoms like Saudi Arabia as a bulwark against Iranian influence, it put down Arab Spring protests in 2011.

The country has been gripped by political tension since 2011, with Shi’ites complaining of discrimination and demanding reforms that would give them a bigger say in government affairs.

Bahrain denies any discrimination and says a minority inspired by Iran are trying to foment sectarian unrest in the kingdom.