Bahrain withdraws citizenship of 72 people, including IS preacher Turki al-Binali

MANAMA, Bahrain – Bahraini authorities say they have stripped the citizenship of a senior member of the Islamic State militant group and dozens of other people.

The Ministry of Interior said Saturday the government revoked the citizenship of 72 Bahrainis as part of its responsibility to "protect the security and stability of Bahrain."

The list includes Sunni and Shiite Bahrainis.

Among those affected is Turki al-Binali, a 30-year-old Sunni preacher who has emerged as one of the Islamic State group's leading ideologues.

Bahrain has faced four years of unrest, with its Shiite majority pushing for greater rights from the Western-allied Sunni monarchy. It has revoked the citizenship of opposition activists in the past.