Bahrain’s Interior Ministry announced it has revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals for allegedly sympathizing with Iran during the ongoing Middle East war.
The revocation occurred as tensions escalated in the region. The Bahraini government claims these individuals glorified hostile Iranian acts or engaged with external parties. The action reflects a broader trend of suppressing political dissent.
The Bahraini Citizenship Act of 1963 allows such revocations on national security grounds. Amendments made in 2014 expanded these powers to include actions damaging to the kingdom’s interests.
This recent move adds to a troubling history. Between 2012 and 2019, Bahrain revoked citizenship from at least 990 nationals. Revocations typically spike during periods of political unrest.
Human rights groups criticize these actions as politically motivated punishments. They argue that losing citizenship can render individuals stateless and deny them access to essential public services.
As of April 10, 2026, at least 286 people have been detained since the onset of the war. This reflects an intensified crackdown on dissent in Bahrain.
The Bahraini Interior Ministry stated, “The Bahraini nationality has been revoked from those individuals for glorifying or sympathizing with hostile Iranian acts, or engaging in contacts with external parties.” This statement underscores the government’s rationale behind these actions.
Sayed Ahmed AlWadaei, a human rights advocate, commented on the situation: “Bahrain is using the regional conflict as a pretext to both eliminate dissent and to define who is considered Bahraini.” He further noted that laws are manipulated to serve the ruling family’s interests.
The implications of this revocation are significant. Individuals often learn about their loss of citizenship through social media announcements. This lack of direct communication raises concerns about transparency and due process.
The situation in Bahrain continues to evolve amid regional conflicts and ongoing human rights violations. Observers remain vigilant as developments unfold in this politically charged environment.
