Bahrain has stripped 69 individuals of their citizenship for allegedly sympathizing with Iran during the ongoing Middle East war.
The Bahraini Interior Ministry announced the revocation via social media. Officials stated that the nationality was revoked for glorifying or sympathizing with hostile Iranian acts.
This action reflects a broader trend. The Bahraini government has revoked citizenship from at least 990 nationals between 2012 and 2019, often during periods of political tension.
The Bahraini Citizenship Act grants the government broad powers to revoke citizenship on national security grounds. An amendment in 2014 expanded these powers to include actions damaging to the kingdom’s interests.
Human rights groups view this latest revocation as politically motivated punishment. They argue that it serves to eliminate dissent and redefine who is considered Bahraini.
Sayed Ahmed AlWadaei from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy said, “Bahrain is using the regional conflict as a pretext to both eliminate dissent and to define who is considered Bahraini.” He added that in such repressive regimes, laws are manipulated to advance the ruling family’s interests.
The consequences of losing citizenship are severe. Individuals often become stateless and lose access to public services, significantly impacting their lives.
As of April 10, 2026, at least 286 people have been detained since the beginning of the war. This detention rate indicates an ongoing crackdown on political dissent amid escalating regional tensions.
The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected as Bahrain continues its stringent measures against perceived threats to national security.
