ABU DHABI Ñ U.S. troops have been ordered to maintain a low profile
in Bahrain amid rising anti-American sentiment in the kingdom.
Gulf defense sources said the U.S. military is concerned that its
personnel could become targets of ambushes by pro-Iranian agents who seek to
foment opposition to Washington's growing defense presence in Bahrain. The
sources said the military fears that Bahraini gangs are searching for
American nationals in the streets of Manama, the home of the U.S. Fifth
Fleet.
Gulf defense sources said the U.S. military has been alarmed by what has
been termed as an organized campaign against the American presence in the
kingdom, Middle East Newsline reported. The anti-U.S. violence peaked on April 5 when scores of suspected
pro-Iranian Shi'ite agents stormed the U.S. embassy and hurled firebombs and
stones.
"Military personnel is being urged not to wander through the markets or
isolated areas, particularly alone," a Gulf source said. "They are also
being asked to stay away from places where there are large crowds, such as
mosques and soccer stadiums."
On late Sunday, two U.S. sailors were seriously injured in a clash with
Bahraini nationals in a Manama suburb. Bahraini media reports said the brawl
was prompted by a dispute between the Americans and a Bahraini merchant over
the rental of a wedding dress.
Bahraini media reports said the sailors assaulted the shopkeeper when he
refused to refund a downpayment on a wedding dress. Police were summoned and
a crowd quickly gathered and began beating the two Americans and the
Ethiopian bride of one of the sailors. Other U.S. sailors joined to protect
their colleagues.
Police, along with a U.S. military officer, eventually rescued the
Americans. Later, hundreds of Bahrainis held an impromptu demonstration
against the United States and tried to block a highway.
On Monday, the U.S. embassy said the military would investigate the
brawl. The statement expressed regret and stressed that the Americans are
guests in Bahrain.
"The U.S. Navy authorities are cooperating fully with the appropriate
Bahraini authorities to determine responsibility for the incident and to
take the appropriate action," the U.S. embassy statement said. "The U.S.
Embassy and the U.S. Navy regret this unfortunate incident and will continue
to take all necessary steps to ensure the appropriate behavior of our
personnel who are guests in Bahrain."
