A Rambling on Current Events in Bahrain and Beyond
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Sunday, May 30, 2004
Al Khobar
Well, terrorism has definitely hit home. Gunmen, claiming to be members of Al Qaeda, have indiscriminantly killed and taken hostages in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, with the final tally at 22 dead (English), mostly foreigners. Khobar is literally a stone throw away from Bahrain, and Bahrainis often go to Khobar for family outings and shopping.
...
One thing that worried me though: How did three of the gunmen escape? I mean, I thought the whole compound was surrounded by hundreds of policemen, commandos, and from the pictures, it seems even spectators. I understand that the Saudi Police force is not really used to such activities, as it is kind of a new event in the Gulf (we only see this kind of stuff on American movies), but still. Either these gunmen are really top notch mavericks, or the policeman are really unexperienced (I'm sure some people will think of an explanation even more sinister).
This definitely brings up the question: Are we going to see any such attacks in Bahrain soon? It could happen through Saudi crossing the bridge over to Bahrain, but I don't think that's the main concern. Security checks are (relatively) vigorous on the bridge (no not because of fear of terrorism, but fear of alcohol and drug smuggling. Even if they can get through (and they probably can, the security is not THAT tight), I don't see why they'd want to cause havoc in Bahrain. These guys' main objective seems to get "Infidels" out of Saudi Arabia, and to topple the Saudi regime. I don't see how Bahrain would fit in their plans. Still, it could happen.
The more worrying concern, is, however, can we get Bahrainis doing such an attack? After all, apparenly five to seven Bahrainis are in Guantanamo bay (although possibly wrongly and unjustly; they might be innocent, and they're yet to face a trial). I really hope not, but to be honest I have no clue about the Al Qaeda situation and support in Bahrain. I'd like to think all Bahrainis are more pragmatic and reasonable than such fundamentalism. I hope that's true, but to be honest I have no way to prove it.
Our thoughts and condolences to the families and friends of those who died.
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...
One thing that worried me though: How did three of the gunmen escape? I mean, I thought the whole compound was surrounded by hundreds of policemen, commandos, and from the pictures, it seems even spectators. I understand that the Saudi Police force is not really used to such activities, as it is kind of a new event in the Gulf (we only see this kind of stuff on American movies), but still. Either these gunmen are really top notch mavericks, or the policeman are really unexperienced (I'm sure some people will think of an explanation even more sinister).
This definitely brings up the question: Are we going to see any such attacks in Bahrain soon? It could happen through Saudi crossing the bridge over to Bahrain, but I don't think that's the main concern. Security checks are (relatively) vigorous on the bridge (no not because of fear of terrorism, but fear of alcohol and drug smuggling. Even if they can get through (and they probably can, the security is not THAT tight), I don't see why they'd want to cause havoc in Bahrain. These guys' main objective seems to get "Infidels" out of Saudi Arabia, and to topple the Saudi regime. I don't see how Bahrain would fit in their plans. Still, it could happen.
The more worrying concern, is, however, can we get Bahrainis doing such an attack? After all, apparenly five to seven Bahrainis are in Guantanamo bay (although possibly wrongly and unjustly; they might be innocent, and they're yet to face a trial). I really hope not, but to be honest I have no clue about the Al Qaeda situation and support in Bahrain. I'd like to think all Bahrainis are more pragmatic and reasonable than such fundamentalism. I hope that's true, but to be honest I have no way to prove it.
Our thoughts and condolences to the families and friends of those who died.
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7:26 PM
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