The bombing of a strategic oil line from Saudi Arabia to Bahrain was a real game changer.
Another “easy target”, a change in strategy as it became more difficult for terrorists to get access to weapons.
So they switched to using everyday implements as weapons, kitchen knives and hired trucks.
So much harder to prevent actions, because the weapons are so “ordinary” and so readily available.
And the public so vulnerable, because they are just going about their everyday affairs.
Roadblocks and barricades can be avoided, but nondiscriminatory bombing attacks are so very difficult to prevent, especially if the terrorists can watch from afar, remotely detonate a bomb and make good their escape.
In relation to detonation on the pipeline running near Buri village, a suspect was rapidly arrested, given that the person allegedly involved had been on the authorities’ radar.
As often happens, persons behind the attack were presumed to be in Iran, only a ‘foot soldier,’ a brainwashed drone, was arrested.
A start.
Others have been charged in absentia, but they are unlikely to return to Bahrain, and certainly won’t be extradited from Iran!
Undoubtably there will be lots of good ideas now on how to try and prevent a repeat of this situation on the many kilometres of unguarded pipelines.
A whole system will in future be be covered by remote sensing cameras, presumably with infrared capacity, as terrorists are unlikely to undertake actions during daylight hours.
The truck option looms as a possibility, cheap and readily available, as people have shown, no care for life, including their own, even though the truck and driver would probably lead to the immediate immolation of the driver.
The cost of “digging in” the pipeline, given that there are many of such pipelines criss-crossing the country, would presumably be prohibitive, although probably more effective in deterring would-be terrorists.
Also, time consuming, when obviously the issue is one which requires immediacy of action.
Any call for blocker bollards at strategic locations would also take time, and would only deter the truck bomber element.
The focus should therefore be on stopping people and supplies coming to Bahrain from Iran.
Stopping and eliminating any bomb creating factory, interdicting bomb supply from Iran
Hence the need for an active and ever present naval element and access to satellite surveillance information.
Perhaps, even surveillance drones, but once again this includes constant monitoring to intercede when suspicious craft are sighted.
Bahrain’s intelligence agencies appear to have been successful in monitoring “terrorist chatter” and moving quickly against purported cells.
What is of concern is that as fast as suspected terrorists are arrested and jailed, a new batch seems to spring up.
Bahrain is now engaged in a “guerilla war” with Iranian trained terrorists; treat the conflict as such.
Remember, “if they don’t lose, they win.”
Catching, jailing is fine, but ability to replace is vital.
Cutting “supply” is a good start.
But it also requires societal intervention, educating youths and de-radicalisation programme.
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