Tehran warns of dangerous consequences for Saudi intervention in Bahrain
DEBKAfile Special Report 16 March. The contest between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the Sunni-Shiite split in the Arab world were ramped up Wednesday March 16 by the crackdown Bahraini security forces launched with tanks and helicopters to drive the mostly Shiite protesters off the main square and key points of the island-state while Saudi troops guarded strategic points.
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi warned: “The unexpected interference of foreign forces in popular uprisings in different countries, including Bahrain will have dangerous consequences."
To prevent the demonstrators regrouping, the authorities, empowered by the three-month emergency declared Tuesday, March 15, imposed a curfew from late afternoon until early morning, banned all street gatherings and warned violators would be shot.
The security crackdown was preceded by the entry of Saudi, UAE and Kuwait military contingents into the island-kingdom Monday, March 14. Local units could disperse the demonstrators and leave Saudi troops to secure strategic compounds.
DEBKAfile's Gulf sources reported Wednesday from circles close to the throne that Saudi King Abdullah was utterly resolved to crush the Shiite revolt in neighboring Bahrain which he sees as a threat to the integrity of his own kingdom – even at the cost of a showdown with Iran.
Five air forces set to attack Libya. Qaddafi threatens reprisals in Europe and the ME
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report17 March: Shortly before the UN Security Council met Thursday, March 17, to discuss a no-fly zone resolution for Libya, Moscow promised Washington and other Western capitals not to apply a veto, DEBKAfile's sources report exclusively. The US, British, French, UAE and Qatar air forces were on standby to attack Libyan army targets as soon as the resolution is passed. If attacked, Libya threatens retaliation against civilian and military targets in Europe and the Middle East said a statement Thursday night from the Defense Ministry in Tripoli.
In Tunis, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton explained that a UN no-fly zone over Libya "would require the bombing of targets to take out the threat posed by Muammar Qaddafi's regime."
She spoke after Cairo rejected Washington's request for the use of Egyptian air bases to enforce the no fly zone against Libya and from which to launch US air attacks on Qaddafi's army. The point of this action would be less to preserve rebel control of Benghazi and more to keep Qaddafi from proclaiming his victory over the opposition to his rule and its foreign champions.
The US fleet present off the Libyan coast includes the nuclear attack submarine USS Providence.
18 March: The resolution UN Security Council passed Thursday night, March 17 approved not only a no-fly zone for Libya but also "all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack" – a mandate for military steps short of invasion. It was carried by 10 votes with five nations abstaining: Russia, China, Brazil, India and Germany. Qaddafi's response: "If the world has gone crazy, we'll be crazy too."
As Qaddafi's forces advanced on the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, the US, British, French, UAE and Qatar air forces were on standby. If attacked, Libya threatens retaliation against civilian and military targets in Europe and the Middle East, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry in Tripoli.
