Seven suspects of a 10-member terrorist cell were arrested for carrying out terrorist activities and forming a network affiliated with al-Ashtar Brigades put on a terrorist list by the Arab quartet Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE and Bahrain, according to the Bahraini Ministry of Interior.
MoI stated that as part of counter-terrorism operations and to ensure the safety and protection of citizens and residents, an investigation has been carried out which resulted in the discovery of the 10 suspects.
Bahrain security forces also announced that the cell is led by Hussein Ali Ahmed Dawood, 31, a leader of al-Ashtar Brigades, the terror wing of al-Wafa Islamic Movement. He is involved in setting up and controlling various terror cells and planning terrorist crimes which have resulted in the death of a number of policemen.
Dawood is a fugitive in Iran and had been sentenced to 90 years in prison for involvement in terrorist cases and for relations with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and terrorist Murtadha al-Sindi. His nationality has been revoked.
The security forces also arrested Zeinab, the sister of Hasan Makki, a primary suspect in the terrorist cell.
Zeinab Makki Abbas hid the explosives, C4, 127 Kg chemicals, and Kalashnikov in her house in Malkiya.
Other detained members of the cell include Hasan Maki Abbas Hasan, 27, linked to Hussein Dawood and the key suspect who was in-charge of bomb-making for al-Ashtar Brigades, including bombs seized on 13 March 2017.
Hasan received instructions from Dawood to continue to make bombs while also storing material smuggled from abroad. He also set up a warehouse for the purpose.
Dawood is also involved in the cases related to making and possessing bombs and had been involved in transporting and making bombs since 2013.
The terrorist cell also included Mahmood Mohammed Ali Mulla Salem al-Bahrani, 33, Arabic teacher. He trained key suspect Hasan Makki Abbas in bomb-making and received a bag containing a Kalashnikov and explosives from him and kept it for some time before returning it. He was arrested upon his return from Lebanon.
The forth terrorist an employee named Ameen Habeeb Ali Jassim, 32, arrested for transporting bags containing Kalashnikov and explosives given by his wife, Zeinab the sister of key suspect, and handing them over to Hussein Mohammed Hussein Khamees to hide them.
Driver Hussein Mohammed Hussein Khamees, 39, had been arrested for hiding explosives bags in his house in Dar Kulaib.
Another suspect, Hasan Atiyah Mohammed Saleh, 37, had been arrested for buying bomb-making material, including metal balls and gas cylinders, several times upon the instructions of Hasan Maki Abbas.
The seventh detained member was Hussein Ibrahim Mohammed Hasan Dhaif, 27, who was recruited by Hasan Maki Abbas. He received and transported bomb-making material to different areas, including Karzakan and Demistan. He also temporarily stored some material in his house.
The investigation has also led to the seizure of quantities of explosives in the residential areas of Demistan, Karzakan, Malkiya and Dar Kulaib villages that are used as workshops to make bombs and store material for the purpose.
General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science carried out legal proceedings and will refer the case to the Public Prosecutor.
