Statement: The Khalifi Regime Deliberately Neglected Search and Rescue Operations for the Missing Young Man “Abdullah Hassan Yusuf

Statement: The Khalifi Regime Deliberately Neglected Search and Rescue Operations for the Missing Young Man “Abdullah Hassan Yusuf”

A statement was issued by the February 14 Youth Revolution Coalition regarding the disappearance of the young man “Abdullah Hassan Yusuf” at sea. The statement reads as follows:

—

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Driven by our national and moral responsibility, we are closely following the case of the disappearance of the young man “Abdullah Hassan Yusuf” at sea—an unfortunate incident that once again exposes the Khalifi regime’s disregard for the lives of citizens and the humanity of the Bahraini people. It also reflects the worsening living conditions that have forced many of the nation’s sons to face daily dangers in pursuit of their livelihood.

The young man “Abdullah” went out at night with three of his companions on a fishing trip to earn a living—compelled by the dire economic conditions that Bahraini citizens endure due to the regime’s destructive political naturalization policies, which have stripped the labor market of its natural balance and prioritized foreigners over Bahrainis in various sectors. These policies have deepened the suffering of citizens and pushed them to work under harsh and dangerous conditions.

Despite the critical first hours following the incident, the Khalifi regime displayed blatant negligence and delay in conducting search and rescue operations. It handled the situation with its typical security-minded and repressive mentality, rather than treating it as a humanitarian emergency requiring swift action to save a citizen’s life.

The Ministry of Interior not only failed in its duty but also demonstrated severe unprofessionalism when it released a selectively edited video clip that did not reveal the truth of what occurred—an obvious attempt to mislead public opinion and cover up its own culpability. Had the Ministry been truthful in its narrative (which it clearly was not), it would have published the full, unedited video showing the real events, rather than presenting fragmented footage that serves its false version of the story.

This crime adds to the Khalifi regime’s dark record of human rights violations, its contempt for the dignity of the Bahraini citizen, and its reckless disregard for human life. It underscores the urgent need for a firm popular and human rights stance to hold the regime accountable for its repeated crimes against the indigenous people of Bahrain.

While we express our full solidarity with the family of the missing young man and pray that God returns him safely to his loved ones, we hold the Khalifi regime fully responsible for this painful incident—caused by the reckless and unlawful practices of the Coast Guard leadership, which endangered the lives of innocent citizens.

—

February 14 Youth Revolution Coalition

Monday, October 27, 2025

Occupied Bahrain