Why Saudi Arabia is involved in Bahrain?
Author: Sakamoto
Since starting the wave of protests in the Arab and Muslim world just three months, sending troops to Saudi and UAE to Bahrain was the first foreign intervention in the internal crisis of a country. A fact that underscores the strategic importance of this small Persian Gulf state. With tanks, tear gas and helicopters, the Bahraini security forces evacuated Wednesday to hundreds of opponents of the square of the Pearl, the place where they had gathered for weeks. At least three people were killed in action.
Bahrain’s army also imposed a curfew of 12 hours daily, from 16:00 to 4:00 in the morning.
Thus, King Hamad al Khalifa, who ruled the country since 1999, took a step in the repression of demonstrators calling for democratic reforms and more political representation, especially for the Shia population.
Although the Islamic faith represents 70% of the population, for decades the power has been exercised by the Sunni minority, headed by the Al Khalifa, a close ally of neighboring Saud dynasty.
Saudi intervention
The problem with Saud al-Faisal Saudi Foreign Minister since 1975 – is with Iran (…). Recently, the field was reduced Saudi influence in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and the Palestinian territories and disappeared in Iraq
Madawi Al-Rasheed, a professor at King’s College
This alliance is one of the reasons for the shift on Monday one thousand troops of the Saudi National Guard, and about 500 players in UAE, the archipelago of Bahrain.
“This intervention was a request from the authorities in Bahrain through the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. From their point of view is just outside help. But from the perspective of the protesters is a foreign intervention,” he told BBC world Paul Rogers, professor at Britain’s University of Bradford.
International reactions were mixed. Washington said that this action is not an invasion, but urged restraint while the Saudi government, one of its key regional partner and supplier of nearly 12% of U.S. oil needs.
In return, Iran on Wednesday strongly criticized the intervention and the actions of security forces.
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