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Targetting cops on duty a callous crime: Bahrain PM

MANAMA — The Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, has said that targetting the lives of security personnel performing their duties is a callous crime. “Unfortunately such criminal acts are happening at a time when the country is in need of national unity,” he said.

The prime minister said this during a courtesy visit on Wednesday to hospitalised public security personnel who had been targetted by rioters and saboteurs while on duty.

Prince Khalifa praised the efforts, sacrifices and high morale of the policemen. Official from the Ministry of Interior announced in a statement that at least 41 severe injuries among police were reported on January 24. Two of the cases were stated to be critical, including one with severe burns.

According to the official, the victims faced with masked and armed men and women, even children in some cases.

The worst clashes were centred in Duraz, Sanabis, Dair and Al Ekr, with attackers hurling metal rods, rocks, bottles and petrol bombs directly at the riot police. “The nature of the attacks reflected a serious escalation in the violent tactics of groups and individuals supporting the political opposition,” he said.

The official blamed a sermon delivered by Ayatollah Isa
Qassim.

The cleric is often identified as the spiritual head of the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society which has been behind much of the opposition to the Bahrain government and has thus far refused to engage in any of the offers made by the government to resolve the crises and usher in broader reforms.

shamada@khaleejtimes.com