Skip to main content

Bahrain asks Congress for help in restoring arms sales

Manama's embassy in Washington is circulating a letter calling for a united front against IS, Iran; Bahrain is courting Congress in its effort to get the Obama administration to unblock weapons sales that were suspended after its 2011 crackdown on Shiite-led protesters.
A tear gas canister is seen on the ground after anti-government protesters pushed through security forces to retake Pearl Sqaure in Manama February 19, 2011. Anti-government protesters in Bahrain swarmed back into the symbolic Pearl Square on Saturday, putting riot police to flight in a striking victory for their cause.            REUTERS/James Lawler Duggan (BAHRAIN - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - RTR2ITOT

Manama's embassy in Washington is circulating a letter in the House and Senate that highlights the Gulf island kingdom's role in the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. The letter, which is addressed to Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, also highlights the need for "unity and cohesiveness" amid nuclear talks with Iran that have put the Arab Gulf countries on edge.

"As the pace of the fight against ISIL [IS] picks up and the nuclear talks with Iran proceed, it is critical that we demonstrate unity and cohesiveness among our Coalition partners," says the letter, which was obtained by Al-Monitor. "We believe that lifting the holds placed on the sale of certain military items to Bahrain would send a strong message of support to our allies in the region. We urge the administration to lift the holds placed on items that do not require congressional notification immediately, and to begin to work promptly to resolve those that do."

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.