All you need to know about Iran-based Bahraini militant leader blacklisted by US
Media affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), appeared to be angered by the US State Department decision to add to its global terror list the leader of the Bahraini Shia militia, Al-Ashtar Brigades, Qasim Abdullah Ali Ahmad, who is known by Qasim al-Muamen.
The semi-official Iranian Fars News Agency has confirmed that al-Muamen resides in Iran, in a report published on the leader’s US terror listing, adding that the Iranian regime’s support to Saraya al Ashtar in Bahrain is continued.
The agency mentioned that Saraya al Ashtar is calling on other groups that support Iran to carry “reform” in the Bahraini capital, Manama.
Meanwhile, the leaders of this extremist group had for several times, taken responsibility for explosions and assassinations in Bahrain, by announcing that in statements broadcast on Iranian media or televised speeches.
The US State Department imposed sanctions on the leader of the militant group for allegedly engaging in plots to overthrow the government of Bahrain.
It said in a statement that al-Muamen has recruited terrorists in Bahrain and provided group members with funding, weapons and explosives to carry out attacks against the Bahraini government.
The State Department blacklisted the Shiite militant group last month due to its ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
It accused Saraya al Ashtar of adopting the IRGC branding and working to enhance Iran’s agenda in the Gulf region.
The group was established in 2013 with the main goal of resisting the monarchy in Bahrain.
The Bahraini government has revoked al-Muamen’s citizenship and sentenced him to life in prison in absentia on terror charges.
Source: Al-Arabiya
