Bahraini Members of Parliament (MPs) have planned to draw up new legislation to combat sectarianism spread by supporters of Yemen's Houthi militias.

They also backed strict action taken by the Interior Ministry against people criticising military action in Yemen and stirring up tensions in Bahrain, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Parliament's foreign affairs, defence and national security committee held a Press conference yesterday in support of Operation Decisive Storm, led by Saudi Arabia and nine allied countries, including Bahrain.

“Going on social media to criticise an issue of supreme power, especially Bahrain's stance on the Yemeni conflict, undermines the leadership's image,” said committee chairman Abdulla Bin Howail.

“Everyone has the right to express their opinion freely according to constitutional rights, but this matter involves relationships between countries and criticising it impacts the unity amongst GCC countries.

“It also leads to conflict within Bahrain, which is a reconciled society, as it plays on the sectarian chord through the spread of lies and unjustifiable incitement that harms stability and peace.”

Bin Howail urged the Interior and Foreign ministries to present draft legislation to parliament regarding foreign policies and misuse of freedom of speech.

Threats

“Any legislation submitted by both ministries will be taken as an issue of urgency and approved, not just for now but in future as well,” he said.

“The threats are ongoing, especially with Iranian interferences, and we urge the Iranian authorities to stop what they are doing in the region for the sake of good neighbouring practices so we could normalise relationships with them.”

The GDN earlier reported that coalition countries launched air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen on Thursday after Shi'ite militias sought to topple the Yemeni government led by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Twelve Bahraini jet fighters have joined 100 Saudi war planes and 150,000 soldiers and navy units, along with 30 UAE jets, six each from Morocco and Jordan and three from Sudan for the Yemen offensive.

Other countries that have pledged support include Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt and Pakistan. - TradeArabia News Service