Bahrain disrupts attempt to smuggle explosives into Kingdom

A joint counter-terrorism operation involving Bahraini security authorities has disrupted an attempt to smuggle high-grade explosives, automatic weapons, and ammunition into Bahrain.
The Ministry of Interior today announced that on July 15, the Bahrain Coast Guard, in coordination with the Police Aviation Unit and Bahrain Royal Naval Force, intercepted a vessel heading towards Bahrain after meeting another vessel just outside Bahrain's territorial waters.

Two Bahraini suspects on board were arrested. They were named as Mahdi Subah Abdulmohsen Mohammed, 30, and Abbas Abdulhussain Abdullah Mohammed, 30.

The ministry has confirmed that initial inquiries show that the first suspect, Mahdi Subah Abdulmohsen Mohammed, received military training in Iran during August 2013. Authorities have said the training included the manufacturing and use of explosive ordinance and improvised explosive devices, as well as firearms training at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards' camp. The suspects were also provided with funds to assist the failed smuggling operation.

The ministry said the two suspects arrested attempted to dispose of the materials they received off the coast of Bahrain; however they were later recovered by the Bahraini Coast Guard and were found to contain a lethal mix of materials, including 43.8 kg of the powerful explosive C4, eight automatic assault rifles (Kalashnikov), 32 Kalashnikov magazines, and ammunition and detonators. The two suspects have admitted receiving the shipment from Iranian handlers outside Bahrain’s territorial waters.

Investigations have also revealed that Mahdi Subah Abdulmohsen Mohammed was recruited by a Bahraini citizen, Jaffar Ahmed Salman, currently a fugitive in Iran, and who is said to have facilitated travel, financing and training.

Two other individuals have been arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt have been named locally as Tawfeeq Ibrahim Ali, 34, and Jaffar Mirza Jaffar, 31. The arrestees have admitted their involvement in two previous smuggling attempts that took place in 2013 and 2014.

This latest incident follows a number of failed attempts to smuggle explosive materials into Bahrain recently. Last month the Bahraini Police announced the discovery of a weapons stash containing large quantities of internationally sourced explosives and bomb-making materials in the Dar Kulaib area, planned for use in terrorist attacks.

Authorities said those arrested have been referred to the Public Prosecution while investigations continue.