Recent global tensions between the US and Iran has left many puzzled as to whether the Trump administration’s decision to assassinate Qassim Soleimani was wise. Most Bahrainis who were asked welcomed Soleimani’s death as a good thing, but many citizens worried about the consequences of this. In Bahrain, Soleimani is widely blamed for being the Quds Force commander responsible for sending arms to terrorist groups in Bahrain and providing training for militants responsible for killing policemen.
There are growing concerns that the region could be led to war, or whether the US is taking the required steps to contain Iran’s aggressive behaviour. Here is a look at what some Bahraini’s think about Qassim Soleimani’s death and recent tensions.
“Soleimani was a terrorist”
“Soleimani was a terrorist. It was a rightful act to kill him. We don’t need a world with the likes of Soleimani, Al Muhandis and Abu-bakr Al Baghdadi. However, the issue is that we need to challenge these extremist ideologies and that we cannot get rid of these ideologies by getting rid of a few individuals;” said Abdullah, aged 34, from Manama.
“Soleimani is a terrorist who is responsible for leading our region into a bloody sectarian war. These sectarian tensions in Iraq and elsewhere will take decades to overcome;” said Manal, aged 32, from Saar.
“It is unfortunate that the democrats in the US are blaming President Trump for starting tensions with Iran, as if the Islamic Republic has been a peaceful partner in the region and globally for the past four decades. The democrats should stop getting personal with Trump and should think of the future of the world and the Middle East” Hamad aged 30, from Riffa.
“He could provoke a regional war”
“This was a clever move by Trump; but I’m not actually sure he knows what he’s doing. If he’s not careful, he could provoke a regional war… I also think that Trump is too stupid to take advantage of the opportunities that Soleimani’s death creates. America and Europe need to follow this up by forcing Lebanon and Iraq to break ties with Iran; but I bet this never happens;” said Hanan, aged 43, from Manama.
“The Islamic Republic is in no position to wage a war on America, they will keep threatening but as we saw with the attacks on the base in Iraq, it was just for show;” said Sara, aged 29, from Budaiya.
“This was perhaps one of the very few smart moves by President Trump, he brought down one of the icons of the Islamic Republic in a move to show that the world has no tolerance towards their terror. Soleimani was quiet a big deal for the Ayatollahs of Iran and the Republican Guard and assassinating him delivers a strong message;” said Salman, age 32, from Muharraq.
“Beginning of the end of the Islamic Republic”
“This is the beginning of the end of the Islamic Republic in Iran. We’ve seen videos of protests of Iranians refusing to step on US and Israeli flags and tearing down Soleimani and Khamenei’s pictures off the streets across Iran. It’s quite a game changer and would serve the Iranian people and the world on the long run;” said Ali, aged 28, from Saar.
“The Middle East has had enough of the Revolutionary Guard and Iran’s proxies across the region. There’s nothing positive about having these terrorists around us. The time has come to bring them and their likes to an end;” said Ahmed, aged 36, from Manama.
“The US administration should have had a wiser approach to limit Soleimani’s power rather than assassinate and flare things up with Iran. The region is going through enough tensions;” said Khalid, aged 34, from Muharraq.
“It doesn’t matter if they got rid of Soleimani. There are tens of others that can be created by the Islamic Republic to take the role of Soleimani. Trump has created a chaotic situation by having him killed. This will not limit Iran’s interests in the region, on the contrary it will give more motive to expand and enhance their operations;” said Fatima, aged 30, from Isa Town.
“They’ve created a greater hero out of Soleimani”
“By killing him they’ve created a greater hero out of Soleimani. He will be remembered as another great martyr of the Islamic republic for generations to come” Amal aged 35, from Riffa
“Well done to the Trump administration! It has hit the Islamic Republic so hard like it has never been hit them before. They needed this and it might be a wake up call for them” Abdulrahman aged 38, from Manama
“The Islamic regime is shooting passenger planes in the sky, shooting protesters on the streets and is responsible for the death of tens of thousands of people in neighbouring countries. Isn’t this reason good enough to bring down their leaders?!” Hanan aged 28, from Saar