Bahrain forces storm square, 2 reported dead
Riot police firing tear gas and wielding clubs stormed a landmark square in Bahrain occupied by anti-government protesters before dawn Thursday, driving out demonstrators and destroying a makeshift encampment. The main opposition group Al Wefaq said at least two people were killed in the assault on Pearl Square in central Manama, which was littered with flattened tents, trampled banners and broken glass. There was no official word on deaths or injuries, but hospitals treated dozens of people with serious gaping wounds, broken bones and respiratory problems from the tear gas. Hours after police retook control of the plaza, the tiny island nation was in lockdown mode.
Al Jazeera: Killing two people and injuring many, Bahrain police carry out a surprise, nighttime attack on square where protesters camp out Video -Sporadic clashes have broken out in the Bahraini capital of Manama, hours after riot police attacked a makeshift encampment of pro-reform protesters in the centre of the city, killing at least three and injuring dozens of others.
An Al Jazeera correspondent, who cannot be named for security reasons, said on Thursday that "clashes were no longer limited to one place...they are now spread out in different parts of the city". Another Al Jazeera online producer said that booms could be heard from different parts of the city, suggesting that "tear-gas is being used to disperse the protesters in several neighborhoods". There were also reports of dozens of armoured vehicles moving towards the Pearl Roundabout, the protest site that was raided by the riot police. Heavily-armed police stormed the traffic circle while the protesters camping overnight were asleep. Speaking to Al Jazeera from Salmaniya hospital, the main medical facility in Manama, Maryama Alkawaka of Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, said that she saw dozens of injured demonstrators being wheeled into emergency rooms early on Thursday morning. Nazea Saeed, a journalist with Radio Monte Carlo, said hundreds of people had gathered at the hospital. Speaking to Al Jazeera from the scene, she said the crowd is chanting: "Down with Al-Khalifa", in reference to the country's ruling family. "People are also chanting that the blood of the victims will not be in vein," she added. [Photo: Getty/AFP]
BBC: Bahrain's protests gathering pace. Thousands of people now occupy the centre of the Bahraini capital
NYT: Crackdown in Pearl Square: Bahrain police rain tear gas, concussion grenades and rubber bullets on protesters. At least 2 dead
Desertpeace: REVOLUTION FEVER ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST [Foreign Policy]