ISIS Calls on Followers to Attack U.S. Base in Bahrain

The Islamic State group, ISIS, has urged its followers to attack U.S. military personnel stationed in Bahrain ahead of U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's visit. According to the Associated Press, as the Sunni-led government in Bahrain is conducting a widespread crackdown on dissent, including Shia Muslims, ISIS's released video also calls for attacks on Bahrain's Shia population. The group's propaganda comes as it is retreating in Syria and Iraq due to international coalition attacks led by the U.S., of which Bahrain is a part. The ISIS video features images of Bahraini fighter jets alongside footage of airstrikes against the group. It also shows images of Gulf Air planes, the King Fahd Highway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and various locations in Manama, Bahrain's capital. Bahrain hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet and is constructing a British naval base. A spokesperson for the U.S. Fifth Fleet stated that U.S. military officials are aware of the ISIS video but declined to elaborate on potential security measures in response. The U.S. Embassy in Manama referenced the video in a statement, saying that 'the extremist group has called on its followers to attack the Bahrain government and the U.S. military in the country.' The Bahraini government, in a statement provided to the Associated Press, said, 'We are vigilant in addressing terrorist activities and actions by extremist groups. Responsible agencies will take all necessary measures to maintain security and stability in the country.' The Gulf Cooperation Council meeting, which British Prime Minister Theresa May also attended, concluded in Bahrain on Wednesday. In the coming days, Bahrain will host the 'Manama Dialogue' sessions, which will be opened by U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is also expected to attend this meeting. The ISIS video names 14 individuals whom the group claims were Bahraini fighters killed in suicide bombings or battles in Iraq and Syria. One of these names resembles an individual who had his citizenship revoked by the Bahraini government in January 2015 for joining jihadist groups. According to the Associated Press, the video emphasizes the Sunni-Shia divide, a particularly dangerous issue for Bahrain. It has been about five years since widespread political protests by Shia and other groups in Bahrain, demanding political freedoms and greater participation in governance. At that time, the Bahraini government, with the help of Saudi and UAE forces, suppressed these protests and subsequently promised to implement political reforms. Since then, sectarian tensions in Bahrain have intensified, and the government has been cracking down on protests and political unrest, which has been unprecedented since 2011. The Bahraini government has suspended the activities of Al-Wefaq, the largest Shia political group in the country, and doubled the prison sentence of its leader. Human rights activists, Shia leaders, and other dissenters have been imprisoned, had their citizenship revoked, or been forced to leave the country. Nevertheless, the Bahraini government claims that no one has been suppressed for their political beliefs and that they will not be. In this context, a senior U.S. military official stated that 50,000 ISIS members have been killed. Europol has warned of the potential for ISIS 'chemical attacks' in Europe. ISIS has called for an increase in terrorist operations by its supporters.