SAUDI ARABIAN & UAE TROOPS IN MANAMA

      The volatile situation in Bahrain has acquired a larger regional dimension after Iran warned Gulf countries could pay a heavy price for their military intervention led by Saudi Arabian troops and backed by the united Arab Emirates (UAE) in Manama.
    On Tuesday, 15th March,2011, a day after troops flashing victory signs from their armed vehicles crossed the 40 km cause way  in to Bahrain. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokes man said the presence of foreign forces and interference in Bahar4ain's internal affairs is unacceptable and will further complicate the issue.  He added recourse to violence should be avoided as Bahraini people have some legitimate demands and they are expressing them peacefully. Apart from 1000 troops from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, under the auspices of the six-nation Gulf co-operation council (GCC) has contributed 500 men for policing duties in Bahrain.
    Rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran are competing for regional influence, including in Bahrain where a shia majority is clamoring for democratic reforms that are being resisted by a Saudi backed Sunni monarchy.
   If tensions spiral, Bahrain, which is also home to the American Navy's Fifth Fleet, could emerge as a proxy battle front for international and regional adversaries, on Tuesday 15th March. Bahrain state television announced that a three-month state of emergency has been declared to defuse the month long political unrest.

   A statement by Bahrains King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa said the nations chief of the armed forces had been authorised to take all measures to quell the month-long protests. The influx of foreign troops gave capital Manama the appearance of a ghost town on Tuesday, with shops shuttered and shopping malls closed. The protesters had gathered in strength at the emblematic pearl Roundabout, the epicenter of the revolt, ready to march on the Saudi embassy a few kilometers away in protest against  the sudden entry of Saudi troops.

The Bahrains General Federation of workers Trade Union has also announced an open ended strike to reinforce the uprising. The opposition issued a statement said" we consider the arrival of any soldier or military vehicle ,in to Bahraini territory- an overt occupation of the Kingdom of Bahrain and conspiracy against the unarmed people of Bahrain

Prof.John Kurakar