Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI ― Bahrain has captured a ship full of weapons meant for Shi’ite insurgents in the Gulf Arab kingdom.

Officials said the Bahraini Coast Guard intercepted a boat that contained Iranian and Syrian weapons and munitions. They said the the nine-meter boat, sailed by two Bahrainis, was tracked over 118 nautical miles and stopped two miles from the coast.

“This is the biggest haul of weapons we have seized from our sea border in recent times,” Bahraini Public Security Directorate commander Maj. Gen. Tareq Al Hassan said.

In a news conference on Dec. 30, Al Hassan cited the seizure of 50 grenades labeled “made in Iran.” He also said the captured boat contained 295 fuses connected to switches and produced in Syria.

This marked the first Bahraini announcement of the seizure of Iranian weapons meant to be smuggled to the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom. Officials said the Coast Guard also seized C4 and TNT as well as PK machine gun on the boat.

“Our investigations revealed the persons caught were trained in camps
located in Iraq and Iran,” Al Hassan said. “One of the suspects talked about support from his brother in Iraq in the operation.”

Officials said Bahrain, which accused Iran of helping the Shi’ite
revolt, foiled an attempt by 13 insurgents to flee the kingdom. The
fugitives included a Saudi national, headed north in a boat, and several of
them confessed to being trained in Iran.

“They were carrying their passports, different currencies, mobile
phones, as well as clothes and personal belongings,” Al Hassan said. “Four
of the suspects admitted they received training in Iran, and some of the
cases have been referred to the Public Prosecution.”

Bahrain, which intensified naval operations, also reported a raid of
arms caches in a village near Manama.

Officials said the caches contained a large amount of explosives in what
appeared to mark preparations for attacks on government and military
facilities.

“Based on our information their target was the Interior Ministry and
military centers,” Al Hassan said.

  Bahraini Coast Guard intercepts shipment of Iran weapons for Shi’ite insurgents, C4, Maj. Gen. Tareq Al Hassan, PK machine gun, Shi’ite insurgents, TNT