Fifth Fleet base targeted: Group warns Muslims in Bahrain to avoid sites frequented by Americans

11-19-2004

ABU DHABI - An Islamic group linked to Al Qaida has warned of suicide attacks against Americans in Bahrain. The group cited the U.S. Embassy and the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, based in Manama. The group was identified as the Bahrain Branch of Ansar Al Islam. Ansar is an Iranian-based group composed of Kurds who seek to establish an Islamic state in Iraq. Ansar has been based in northern Iraq and Iran. Ansar, said to comprise up to 1,000 members, warned Muslims to avoid U.S. installations and places frequented by Americans in Bahrain. The group cited the U.S. Embassy, the area around the residence of the U.S. ambassador, the University of Bahrain as well as hotels, nightclubs and oil pipelines. It was the first specific warning by an Islamist group against Americans in Bahrain. In July, the U.S. military evacuated about 1,000 dependents from Bahrain after intelligence reports that the American community could come under attack. Later, six people were arrested in connection with an Al Qaida plot against Americans and the Bahraini government. In 2003, Iran paid Ansar $20,000 to assassinate then-U.S. Civil Administrator Paul Bremer, a U.S. intelligence report said. The assassination, intended to have been carried out via a suicide car bombing, did not take place. The report listed one of the planners as Himin Bani Shari, a senior Ansar operative. Bahrain has come under increasing civil unrest and threat of insurgency attack over the last year. Much of the unrest stems from Shi'ite dissidents and the resulting government crackdown. Officials said Shi'ite youngsters were sending threatening text messages to the cell phones of parliamentarians. The 40-member parliament has examined legislation that would impose heavy restrictions on demonstrations and other assemblies.