Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced on Monday that it had revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals, some of whom are related, accusing them of sympathizing with Iran and "colluding with foreign entities." The move comes after Tehran carried out strikes on facilities in Bahrain as part of the war launched against Iran by Israel and the United States.

The directive, issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, stated that all 69 people were "of non-Bahraini origin." Under Bahraini law, a person can be stripped of citizenship if deemed to have caused harm to the country or shown disloyalty.

The London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy described the move as "dangerous" and a clear violation of international law. The organization said the individuals had not been publicly identified, and it remains unclear whether they have been arrested, whether they are inside or outside Bahrain, and whether they hold another nationality.

Tehran began striking its Gulf neighbors on February 28, shortly after Israel and the United States launched the war by attacking Iran. Tehran accused the targeted countries of allowing the US to conduct strikes from their territory. Iran's retaliatory attacks reportedly caused significant damage to US military sites across the region, including a Navy base in Bahrain, which was hit by missiles and drones.

Bahrain's Shia population has long accused authorities of marginalizing them. During the Arab Spring in 2011, mass protests against the country's leadership broke out. The Bahraini government has long blamed Iran for fomenting unrest against it.

Source: www.aljazeera.com