Protests in Bahrain Erupt Over Revocation of Shiite Leader's Citizenship

Supporters of Sheikh Isa Qasim, a leader of the Shiite community in Bahrain, gathered in front of his home on Tuesday, July 1, to protest the Bahraini government's revocation of his citizenship. Reuters reported that dozens of protesters participated, some of whom were dressed in shrouds. The Kingdom of Bahrain announced on Monday that it had revoked Isa Qasim's citizenship, accusing the Shiite leader of attempting to incite division within Bahraini society, encouraging youth to violate the constitution, and exacerbating ethnic tensions in the country. This decision has faced protests from both the United States and Iran. The United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva deemed the decision "clearly inconsistent with international law." Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the office, stated that while revocation of citizenship may be possible under "specific circumstances," it must serve a "legitimate purpose" and allow for the possibility of appeal. In Iran, aside from the Foreign Ministry, which protested the ruling, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also strongly criticized it. Initially, Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, issued an unprecedented statement threatening the Bahraini government that the revocation of Isa Qasim's citizenship would lead to "armed resistance" and the "fall of the Bahraini regime." The IRGC described the revocation of Sheikh Qasim's citizenship as "fueling the flames of the Islamic Revolution in Bahrain and accelerating the collapse of the regime imposed on this country." In a statement published by Fars News Agency, the IRGC warned the "decayed and illegitimate leaders of the Al Khalifa regime, suffering from political osteoporosis," that if they do not cease their Zionist-like adventures and submit to the rightful demands of the people, they will face the fate of other dictators buried in other Islamic countries. Bahrain is a small country on the southern edge of the Persian Gulf, with a majority Shiite population, although the government is controlled by a Sunni family. The Shiites of Bahrain accuse the government of discrimination against them, while the Bahraini monarchy claims that groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and particularly the IRGC, incite the Shiites against the government. The revocation of Sheikh Qasim's citizenship occurred just days after the suspension of the largest Shiite organization in Bahrain. In this context, the prison sentences and revocation of citizenship for eight Bahraini Shiite citizens were altered. The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs also addressed the IRGC's "ban on passage" for American naval vessels and training for members of the "Resistance Axis."