Bahrain says dismantled Iran-linked 'terrorist cell'

By Ahmed al-Masri

MANAMA (AA) – Bahrain said Sunday it had dismantled an Iran-linked "terrorist cell" planning assassinations in the Gulf country.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said the 14-member cell had plotted to assassinate senior officials and attack vital installations in Bahrain.

The ministry said the cell was working under the direct supervision of two exiled Bahrainis living in Iran.

"Six of the arrestees received military training in camps under the Iranian Revolutionary Guards supervision, five had been trained by the Iraqi Hezbollah group and three received training by local elements," the statement said.

"Weapons and locally-made explosives ready to be used in terrorist acts had been seized from the suspects," the ministry said.

There was no comment from Iran on the accusation.

Earlier this month, Bahraini authorities said they had uncovered a 54-member terrorist cell suspected of involvement in attacks in the country.

Bahrain was rocked by revolt in 2011, when pro-democracy protests erupted in the tiny Gulf state as part of the "Arab Spring" uprisings.

The Sunni-led government blames Al-Wefaq, Bahrain’s largest opposition movement, for the upheaval, accusing the Shia party of pursuing an "Iranian agenda".

Al-Wefaq, for its part, denies the allegations, saying it wants to see the establishment of a "constitutional government" in the small Gulf kingdom.