Seizure Of Terrorist Bomb-Making Materials Planned For Bahrain And Saudi Arabia

MANAMA, Bahrain, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bahrain's Chief of Police today confirmed reports that security authorities have seized significant quantities of internationally sourced explosives and bomb-making materials planned for use in terrorist attacks against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. 

The raid on a house in Dar Kulaib on 6^th June, in the south west of the island, came as a result of forensic intelligence gathered by Bahrain's security forces following the seizure in May of a vehicle attempting to cross the bridge and contained similar explosives to carry out attacks in Saudi Arabia.

Authorities said that the seized weapons, which included large quantities of powerful explosive, C4, in addition to commercial detonators, advanced circuitry, chemicals and mobile phones, represent a significant escalation in attempts to smuggle explosives material into Bahrain.

Chief of Police Major-General Tariq Al Hasan said: "These recent developments point to an emerging trend. The professionalism with which these seized materials are assembled and concealed is a clear indication of international support and sponsorship. 

"Of greater concern, however, is the fact that these sophisticated bomb-making materials were destined for Saudi Arabia, a sign that extremists are increasingly using Bahrain's borders as a launch pad for terrorists seeking to carry out attacks elsewhere in the region."

The fugitives implicated in this case, whom recently had their citizenship revoked, formed and recruited a terrorist group provided military training to members and smuggle explosives and travel to Iraq and Iran to receive intensive training on how to make and use explosives and guns, as well as scuba diving skills to plant mines and explosives in the sea. The instruction was given at camps run by the Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq as well as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, who also offered logistic and financial support to the Bahraini terrorist group.  

The weapons raid in Dar Kulaib marks the latest in a series of similar incidents. The Kingdom's security forces, with the assistance of international forensic and explosives experts, found that the bomb-making materials seized in both incidents as well as fingerprints discovered on them were found to have matched the explosives found on a boat travelling to Bahrain from Iraq in December 2013. Similar explosives were also found in a warehouse in Al Qurayyah the following day.

The Chief of Police said: "There are clear similarities between the tactics, techniques and procedures used in manufacturing the explosives found in Bahrain and those used by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps proxy groups, particularly Kata'ib Hezbollah, in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Saraya Al Ashtar cell in Bahrain have clearly been receiving support from terrorists in other parts of the region," he continued.    

The Chief of Police affirmed that Bahrain is committed to the long-term safety of its citizens and to those of its GCC neighbours, adding that security authorities will not allow extremist acts to harm the Kingdom's pursuit of long term political and economic development.

Linked incidents

• 6 June 2015: Bahrain police raided a residential villa in Dar Kulaib where they uncovered highly potent explosive materials – the villa is located in a residential area in proximity to other houses, place of worships and a social hall 
• 8 May 2015: Saudi Custom officials prevented an attempt to smuggle explosive materials (including C4 and detonators) via the King Fahd Causeway. Two suspects were arrested and information received led to the discovery of the cache found in Dar Kulaib village on 6 June
• 29 December 2013: A cache of materials was found in an apartment in Al-Qurayyah Village
• 28 December 2013: A boat shipment due to be received in Bahrain from Iraq was intercepted. Forensic investigators have identified matching fingerprints between items found in Dar Kulaib and this shipment

Explosive materials seized in Dar Kulaib on 6 June 2015

SOURCE Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain