Myths Surround Bahrain’s Crisis – Continued
 

Posted: 28th February 2013 by globalconflict in Top 10s
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Census after census recognises that the true majority originate from the Asian Sub-Continent. The opposition derogatorily call them ‘mercs’ (mercenaries) to delegitimise both the government and Asians by suggesting that they are employed as police and soldiers to suppress Shia. Again, this is only sensationalism. Bahrain’s expat’s tremendously contributes to the country and may be found in all walks of life; construction, pearling to banking and education. They are not part of a demographic drive to change the country’s demography; many have been resident for

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Security forces block an entrance to a Bahraini village, 2011. Credit: Mohamed CJ via Wikimedia Commons
Such a demographic myth is racist, objectifying Bahrain’s expats and likely leading to increased violence. Expatriates have already been targeted in violent lynching, they have been brutalised, tormented and threatened by the same people who now claim to be the opposition activists fighting for their rights. It is an unfortunate reality that Bahrain’s opposition is okay with treading on the rights of others for their own political aggrandisement.

Demographics are only part of what is wrong with coverage of Bahrain.

Another, even more significant, issue concerns the manner in which Iran and its ambitions are often omitted, despite the growing evidence of its connivance (at best) in the brewing, often bubbling, tensions in Bahrain.

Accepting the myth that Iran sits innocently on the sidelines of Bahrain’s crisis is tempting. However, it is only a myth and the Islamic Republic and its proxies seek instability and have attempted to overthrow Bahrain’s government and establish a theocratic state in an Islamic Republic-esq image on a fairly routine basis since 1981. Why would this latest crisis be different? Did Iran learn to behave like a responsible neighbour? Certainly not.

Yet, so many deny Iran’s Bahraini ambitions. They accept Iranian (via Hezbollah) hands in Bulgaria (Burgas), in Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Israel why is it so hard to believe that Iran has similar intentions with Bahrain?

Consider this: Iran controls Hezbollah as a proxy and Hezbollah is well established in Bahrain. It admits so itself. Starting as the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain (IFLB), which attempted to assassinate Bahrain’s King in 1981, it then split into al Haq (political radicalism) and the Military Wing of Hezbollah Bahrain. Recently it got a facelift, has absorbed members of the 14 February Youth Coalition and spawned the Sacred Defense, which is responsible for Molotov ambushes against police forces, arson attacks and bombings.

Iran has not relinquished territorial claims over Bahrain – aside from a short-lived period (1971-1979) – and has been involved in nearly ten attempted coups and a series of violent actions in and against Bahrain over the past decades, coupled with the fact that Hezbollah is a feature of the latest crisis indicates that Iran is largely responsible for violence in the country. Any understanding of the crisis that omits the role of Iran and Hezbollah is morally, and practically, wrong.

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The story of Bahrain remains incomplete; there is no way to anticipate how events will unfold in the coming days, weeks and years. However, some things are clear. Mainstream narratives deployed to understand Bahrain’s crisis do not address many core issues. Not a single article has been produced urging the opposition to accept the expat community, and its leaders, as equal members of Bahraini society. Indeed, few note that expats exist at all. Such glaring omissions need to be redressed. The road to recovery in Bahrain will not be the road of sectarianism or of political blackmail-through-violence. It must be through dialogue and compromise. Before this can happen, the full spectrum of Bahraini society needs to be recognised and engaged while Iran, Hezbollah, and the assortment of clandestine groups they crutch-up, are exposed as the spoilers they are.

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