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Bahrain becomes first Arab ally to join U.S. terror war
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Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, January 3, 2002
ABU DHABI ø Bahrain has become the first Arab ally of the United
States to participate in the Washington-led war in Afghanistan.
Bahrain has sent a naval frigate to join the U.S. naval task force
responsible for the Afghan war. The frigate, called Bans Sabha, deploys
guided missiles.
"The Sabha will participate in the international humanitarian efforts
and the tasks aimed at strengthening stability and reconstruction of
Afghanistan," Bahraini Chief of Staff Gen. Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
said.
Gulf officials said the frigate ø transferred to Bahrain in 1997 ø
would focus on search, rescue and evacuation. They said the frigate would
not take part in combat operations but would help protect U.S. ships.
Bahrain, a major non-NATO ally, is regarded as one of the closest allies
of the United States in the Middle East. Manama is home of the U.S. Fifth
Fleet, which patrols the Persian Gulf.
Kuwait has agreed to a bolstering of U.S. troops in the sheikdom to
prepare for any Iraqi attack. In contrast, Saudi Arabia has opposed the use
of an air force base in the war in Afghanistan.
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