Bahrain: Gulf countries are playing a key role in supporting Western counter-terrorism operations, according to a Bahraini analyst.
However, Bahrain Institute for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat) research analyst Omar Mahmood said the GCC must remain vigilant after a video was released threatening more attacks similar to those in Paris on Friday.
The video claims to be by Islamic State (IS), which claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks, and warns of further retaliation against countries taking part in air strikes against the militant group in Syria.
It specifically threatens an attack in Washington, DC due to America’s central role in missions targeting IS.
“The GCC has already witnessed attacks by IS which is a serious threat, its actions in the region and abroad prove so,” said Mr Mahmood, referring to bombings of Shi’ite mosques in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
“But the GCC’s internal security apparatus has also proved to be quite competent in uncovering plots by such groups, stopping plans not only in the GCC but also providing vital intelligence to its Western partners – which has resulted in successful counter-terrorism operations.
“The issue is no matter how well prepared you are, or no matter how effective national security forces and intelligence services are, it just takes one small group to slip through the cracks and cause serious damage.
“IS is a group with widespread and entrenched networks, which is what makes them such a serious threat.
“Hundreds linked to IS have been arrested and detained throughout the GCC and a group like Daesh (IS), whether the GCC is part of the US-led coalition or not, will still try to attack us – which is why we must remain vigilant.”
Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan on Monday said the Paris attacks, which killed at least 129 people and wounded 352, were not a “one-off event” and warned militants might be ready to launch similar operations elsewhere.
Reports have suggested the UK Foreign Office has listed up to 30 countries potentially facing a terrorist threat, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Palestine and Afghanistan in the Middle East.
While Bahrain was not listed, it is part of a coalition of nations conducting air strikes against IS in Syria.
Senior adviser at Dubai-based think tank Gulf State Analytics, Dr Theodore Karasik, said the video threatening further attacks illustrated the need for countries to take pre-emptive action.
“The recent IS video is amply clear in their ‘wave’ strategy to spread chaos to key powers France, Russia, the US, the UK, Italy and their allies,” he told the GDN.
He explained “wave strategy” as one that involves further strikes where security weaknesses are perceived and can be exploited.
“In other words, any partner or ally of the US-led coalition or the Russian-led coalition – for any of these countries, pre-emption is the key; watch-lists must be acted on,” he added.
“For Bahrain, upping pre-emption is significant even beyond current measures.”
raji@gdn.com.bh
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