As the threat of regional war grows and Western powers deepen their military footprint across the Middle East, Bahraini opposition activist Dr Ibrahim Al Aradi speaks to MENA Solidarity about political repression in Bahrain, resistance to US military bases and normalisation with Israel, and why he believes the peoples of the region must take their future into their own hands.

Interview conducted by Irang Bak, journalist, activist and member of the MENA Solidarity Editorial Board

Editor’s note: Dr Ibrahim Al Aradi is a Bahraini opposition activist and medical doctor who has been living in the UK since 2019. In 2015, the Bahraini authorities revoked his citizenship because of his political activities.

“The General Situation in Bahrain Is Lethal”

Q. What is the general situation in Bahrain?

A. The general situation in Bahrain is lethal. All Gulf states built their foreign policy on the idea that the American administration protects them from their own peoples revolting against them. This is the basis of their political, diplomatic and security agreements. Perhaps today they do not fear Iran as much as they fear a popular revolt.

For example, Bahrain, a small island of 700 square kilometres, has become a military barracks for Israeli Mossad and American military bases. People feel that the regime, which is supposed to protect them, has lost the protection of its own protector, the Americans. On the contrary, the regime is the one that protects the Americans and hosts them throughout the country.

You would have seen the overwhelming joy of the people in Bahrain when American military bases are hit. It is because people know that these bases are the foundation of their suffering. They did not come to liberate them, but only to manage them and protect the ruling family — yet they do not protect anyone.

A few days ago in Bahrain, a Patriot missile fell on a neighbourhood called Mahazza on the island of Sitra. The regime said it was an Iranian missile. However, The Times and Reuters later reported — and the authorities subsequently admitted — that it was in fact an American Patriot missile.

“The People of Bahrain Have Always Stood Against Injustice”

Q. Can you tell us about the past and ongoing political oppression?

A. When aggression was carried out against Yemen, the people of Bahrain stood with Yemen. Whenever aggression targeted Lebanon, the people of Bahrain stood with Lebanon. The people of Bahrain do not accept injustice. When aggression was directed at Iran, the people of Bahrain stood with Iran. When Iraq was attacked during the time of Saddam and afterwards, the people of Bahrain stood with the Iraqi people.

Today, it is these same people — and this same political outlook — that fundamentally rejects the American presence in the region. They ask: what is the benefit of the American presence? This has become a major question now being raised about these regimes.

The Al Khalifa entered Bahrain around 250 years ago as occupiers, and they still practise the policies of an occupying power. They continue to treat the original inhabitants as though they are strangers in their own country. Just as Israel deals with the Palestinians, the Al Khalifa deal with the people of Bahrain in a similar way: they imprison them, attack their dignity, displace them, revoke their citizenship, defame their reputations, treat them with hostility and regard them as adversaries.

Now, with this aggression and this war, the people of Bahrain have begun to raise their voices with greater courage. At the time of this interview, there were more than 200 men and women in prison whom the regime had arrested since 1 March for tweets or for taking photographs. The regime has charged them with treason — a sign of how confused and shaken it has become.

“Shiites and Sunnis Have Coexisted for Generations”

Q. How are the people responding to the current war? Some view Bahrainis through a sectarian lens.

A. It is not Bahrain’s fault that seventy or eighty per cent of its population are Shiites. This is simply the reality of the country. The regime pursued policies of demographic change and political naturalisation in an attempt to create a different balance, but it failed.

Fundamentally, the people of Bahrain — Shiites and Sunnis alike — have coexisted for generations. The regime tries to stir up sectarian fitna (civil strife) through propaganda, mercenaries and electronic bots in order to confuse the situation. But in reality, it only seeks to monopolise the country’s wealth and economy for itself.

Our demands are national demands: reform, political rights and genuine political participation. We do not want a parliament like the current one, where forty members are effectively appointed by the regime rather than elected by the people. Its role is simply to polish the image of the regime and pass whatever laws it wants; it has no real value.

All of these shortcomings became obvious a few days ago during a parliamentary seminar held remotely — because the country is effectively in a state of war — where participants discussed the neutering of predatory animals before they enter Bahrain. How can you raise the issue of neutering animals while the country is living under the shadow of war? They are completely disconnected from reality.

The reality in Bahrain is that people are demanding the basic necessities of life. Today, the people of Bahrain are saying: we do not want American military bases on our land, we do not want military occupation and we do not want normalisation with Israel. This reflects popular opinion across Bahrain.

“The Peoples of the Gulf Must Take the Initiative”

Q. What is your prospect of the war and the future of the region?

A. The realities of the war have been revealed and the aggressors are known — the Americans. The Americans want to destroy the region; they want to push the Gulf states into war with Iran and ignite conflict.

The peoples of the Gulf must take the initiative. If the peoples of the Gulf unite, I imagine these governments will not be able to overcome them. The peoples today must sacrifice and continue their struggle so that they can have value and dignity. Life under these governments — these Zionist agents, cowardly “sheikhdoms” that cannot defend themselves — is an impossible life.

No dictatorial regime can triumph over its people, no matter how long it takes. This should be the conviction of all free peoples of the world.

The British voter, before casting a vote for an MP or a candidate for government, should consider whether that vote contributes to the oppression of peoples or supports Israel in the killing of peoples. The votes of taxpayers must be an important voice that protects them and protects other countries from war, oppression and injustice.