Bomb blast kills one in restive Bahrain
Bomb blast kills one in restive Bahrain
A man died when a bomb went off in Bahrain as unrest continues, with the United States saying it is 'concerned' about human rights in the kingdom.
2 min read
Security has increased around many areas in the Gulf region [AFP]
A man was killed allegedly trying to plant a bomb targeting police in a Shia village near the Bahraini capital, the interior ministry said on Wednesday.
The ministry, on its Twitter account, said the failed attack took place in the village of Ekr but it did not identify the man killed.
Security forces cordoned off the area, residents said.
Shia-led protests since 2011 demanding reforms in the minority Sunni-ruled kingdom have sparked clashes with security forces in which at least 89 people have been killed, human rights groups say.
Since an Arab Spring-inspired uprising was crushed four years ago, protesters have clashed frequently with security forces in Shia villages outside Manama.
Security has increased in many Gulf regions following a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Kuwait in June, which killed 26 people and wounded over 200.
USA 'concerned'
On Tuesday, the United States expressed concerns over the treatment of opposition figures in Bahrain, following the arrest of a prominent Sunni Muslim leader for "plotting to overthrow the monarchy" three weeks after he was freed from jail.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry said on Sunday that Ibrahim Sharif, former head of the secular National Democratic Action Society, or Waad, was detained for incitement to overthrow the government and publicizing "hatred of the regime" in a speech on July 10.
Sharif had been freed by royal pardon on June 19 after serving more than four years in prison for his role in an uprising demanding political reforms in the Gulf Arab island monarchy.
The US State Department said the arrest of Sharif, the detention and prosecution of opposition figure Majeed Milad, and reports about the re-opening of a case against Ali Salman, secretary general of Al Wefaq Political Society, "raise serious concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression in Bahrain."
In the statement, spokesman John Kirby said the United States welcomed initial reports that rights activist Nabeel Rajab had been released from jail, but continued to encourage the government to respect freedom of expression.
The ministry, on its Twitter account, said the failed attack took place in the village of Ekr but it did not identify the man killed.
Security forces cordoned off the area, residents said.
Shia-led protests since 2011 demanding reforms in the minority Sunni-ruled kingdom have sparked clashes with security forces in which at least 89 people have been killed, human rights groups say.
Since an Arab Spring-inspired uprising was crushed four years ago, protesters have clashed frequently with security forces in Shia villages outside Manama.
Security has increased in many Gulf regions following a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Kuwait in June, which killed 26 people and wounded over 200.
USA 'concerned'
On Tuesday, the United States expressed concerns over the treatment of opposition figures in Bahrain, following the arrest of a prominent Sunni Muslim leader for "plotting to overthrow the monarchy" three weeks after he was freed from jail.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry said on Sunday that Ibrahim Sharif, former head of the secular National Democratic Action Society, or Waad, was detained for incitement to overthrow the government and publicizing "hatred of the regime" in a speech on July 10.
Sharif had been freed by royal pardon on June 19 after serving more than four years in prison for his role in an uprising demanding political reforms in the Gulf Arab island monarchy.
The US State Department said the arrest of Sharif, the detention and prosecution of opposition figure Majeed Milad, and reports about the re-opening of a case against Ali Salman, secretary general of Al Wefaq Political Society, "raise serious concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression in Bahrain."
In the statement, spokesman John Kirby said the United States welcomed initial reports that rights activist Nabeel Rajab had been released from jail, but continued to encourage the government to respect freedom of expression.
![gaza hospital [getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_684x385/public/media/images/04CAB42E-7AB3-4448-B45F-B0E1D7D43091.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=XYFJ5dpl)
More In News
