Overview: Following a year of political and social unrest, Bahrain continued to develop its counterterrorism capacities while trying to address its citizens' demands for political reform. Bahrain contributed manpower to international counterterrorism operations, participated in international technical training, realigned internal responsibilities, and continued to invest in border control and security. Bahraini-U.S. counterterrorism cooperation remained strong, especially on the investigations of several suspected domestic terrorist incidents.

2012 Terrorist Incidents:

  • In April, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated in the Diraz neighborhood, injuring four security officers.

  • On August 22, according to Chief of Public Security Major General Tariq al-Hassan, a terrorist explosion threatened the lives of two men working security jobs in Sitra, causing burns and injuries. Preliminary information revealed that the explosion was caused by a locally made, remote controlled IED.

  • On October 20, an IED exploded in Al-Ekr, causing the death of a police officer.

  • On November 5, six homemade pipe bombs exploded, killing two expatriate workers and injuring a third individual.

  • On November 7, a car caught fire after coming into contact with an explosive device left on the ground near the Atlas Hotel in Gudaibiya. No casualties were reported.

  • On November 28, the Ministry of Interior reported that a homemade bomb exploded in a garbage bin in Adliya. No casualties were reported.

Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The Bahrain National Security Agency established an agreement with the Ministry of Interior (MOI), giving the MOI authority to conduct arrest and detention operations of designated targets. The agreement, while signed in 2011, was enacted in 2012.

In June, police raided what they determined was a bomb-making facility. Follow-up investigations were conducted with the participation of forensic experts from London's Metropolitan Police.

In the case of the "Qatar Cell," uncovered in 2011 with the cooperation of the Qatari Security Authority, the MOI revealed that it found a terrorist cell targeting vital facilities and prominent figures. The Higher Criminal Court sentenced six defendants to 15 years imprisonment, and acquitted two other defendants. At year's end the case was with the Higher Appellate Court of Bahrain, who has adjourned it until February 2013, for the defense argument.

Bahrain continued to participate in the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program, which focused on enhancing border security, investigations, and critical incident management capacity for law enforcement and first responders.

Countering Terrorist Finance: Bahrain is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. In 2012, there were no public prosecutions of terrorist finance cases. Ministry of Interior officials from the Financial Intelligence Unit attended a U.S.-sponsored conference in Virginia in April and a Central Bank of Bahrain compliance official attended training in October. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, we refer you to the 2013 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 2, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.

Regional and International Cooperation: Bahrain worked closely and cooperatively with international partners throughout the region. Since formally endorsing the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism in March 2008, Bahrain has proactively worked to expand air, sea, and causeway border control points. On December 30, the Cabinet endorsed a collective security agreement of the six Gulf Cooperation Council member states. The agreement outlines mutual responsibilities to preserve security and stability in the region. One of its goals is to help combat transnational and organized crime and terrorism through information exchanges and coordination. Before implementation, the agreement must be ratified by each member state.

Regional and International Cooperation: The Government of Bahrain's efforts to counter radicalization and violent extremism were spearheaded by the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs (MOJIA), which organized regular workshops for clerics and speakers from both the Sunni and Shia sects. One specific course addressed the definition of fanaticism, the adverse effects of fanaticism, and ways to guard against fanatic thought. The MOJIA also undertook an annual review of schools' Islamic Studies curricula to evaluate interpretations of religious texts.

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