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Bahrain alleges Iran-backed group planned assassinations

Bahrain alleges Iran-backed group planned assassinations

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Bahrain is alleging a 14-member group backed by Iran planned assassinations in the island kingdom.

The Interior Ministry issued a statement early Monday saying 11 members of the group "are suspected of receiving overseas military training under the supervision of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah in Iraq."

It says police had arrested 14 suspects in raids that saw officers seize weapons and explosives. It says the group's two leaders are abroad in Iran.

Iran's government called the allegation a "futile and baseless lie."

Sunni-ruled Bahrain, like other Gulf Arab nations, remains suspicious of Shiite power Iran and periodically announces similar arrests.

Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, has seen unrest present since its 2011 Arab Spring protests escalate recently amid a government crackdown on dissent.

The Associated Press