Opposition activists arrested in Bahrain
Source: Agencies |
March 18, 2011, Friday
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BAHRAIN'S Sunni monarchy detained at least seven prominent opposition activists yesterday, and Iran recalled its ambassador to protest the Gulf troops backing the -government against the -Shiite protests that forced martial law-style rule in the small island nation.
In Brussels, the European Union and NATO urged Bahrain's authorities to refrain from violence and try to settle the crisis through dialog.
But Bahrain's crackdown widened with the detention of at least seven activists, a rights group and relatives of the arrested said. Bahrain has imposed a three-month emergency rule that gives the military wide powers to battle the pro-democracy uprising that began in mid-February in the strategic nation which hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet.
Security forces had an overwhelming presence in parts of central Manama, a day after overrunning a protesters' camp in the capital and clashing with Shiites elsewhere. At least five people were killed - two policemen and three protesters - in Wednesday's assault on the encampment in Pearl Square, according to opposition groups and the government.
Dawn raids
The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights said those taken into custody in the pre-dawn raids yesterday include Hassan Mushaima and Abdul Jalil al-Sangaece - who were among 25 Shiite activists on trial on charges of trying to overthrow the nation's rulers.
Riot police fired tear gas on several dozen protesters trying to organize a march in the mostly Shiite Manama suburb of Jidhafs, which is less than 1 kilometer from Pearl Square. As the clash unfolded, residents tried to block police vehicles with makeshift -barricades including metal tables, pieces of wood and even gym weights.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the introduction of Gulf forces was "the wrong track."
It was a rare hint of agreement with Iran, whose government has called the Saudi-led reinforcements in Bahrain "unacceptable."
In mostly Shiite southern Iraq, over 3,000 demonstrators marched in the holy city of Karbala in the second consecutive day of rallies against the outside forces in Bahrain.
Heavy security
Tanks and armored personnel carriers outfitted with machine guns watched over strategic intersections. Soldiers, wearing black ski masks and helmets, manned checkpoints and searched cars. Agents in civilian clothes patrolled wearing green vests and masks.
Nearly all stores and banks were closed and traffic was light. Very few people were walking the streets in the center of the capital. An 8pm to 4am curfew was in force and movement was restricted around the country.
Doctors at the country's main hospital said the facility was controlled by security forces, blocking physicians from leaving.
"We are under siege," said Nihad el-Shirawi, an intensive care doctor who said she had been working for 48 hours. "We cannot leave, and those on-call cannot come in."
Officials in the hospital said they took in more than 400 people injured in violence on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In Brussels, the European Union and NATO urged Bahrain's authorities to refrain from violence and try to settle the crisis through dialog.
But Bahrain's crackdown widened with the detention of at least seven activists, a rights group and relatives of the arrested said. Bahrain has imposed a three-month emergency rule that gives the military wide powers to battle the pro-democracy uprising that began in mid-February in the strategic nation which hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet.
Security forces had an overwhelming presence in parts of central Manama, a day after overrunning a protesters' camp in the capital and clashing with Shiites elsewhere. At least five people were killed - two policemen and three protesters - in Wednesday's assault on the encampment in Pearl Square, according to opposition groups and the government.
Dawn raids
The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights said those taken into custody in the pre-dawn raids yesterday include Hassan Mushaima and Abdul Jalil al-Sangaece - who were among 25 Shiite activists on trial on charges of trying to overthrow the nation's rulers.
Riot police fired tear gas on several dozen protesters trying to organize a march in the mostly Shiite Manama suburb of Jidhafs, which is less than 1 kilometer from Pearl Square. As the clash unfolded, residents tried to block police vehicles with makeshift -barricades including metal tables, pieces of wood and even gym weights.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the introduction of Gulf forces was "the wrong track."
It was a rare hint of agreement with Iran, whose government has called the Saudi-led reinforcements in Bahrain "unacceptable."
In mostly Shiite southern Iraq, over 3,000 demonstrators marched in the holy city of Karbala in the second consecutive day of rallies against the outside forces in Bahrain.
Heavy security
Tanks and armored personnel carriers outfitted with machine guns watched over strategic intersections. Soldiers, wearing black ski masks and helmets, manned checkpoints and searched cars. Agents in civilian clothes patrolled wearing green vests and masks.
Nearly all stores and banks were closed and traffic was light. Very few people were walking the streets in the center of the capital. An 8pm to 4am curfew was in force and movement was restricted around the country.
Doctors at the country's main hospital said the facility was controlled by security forces, blocking physicians from leaving.
"We are under siege," said Nihad el-Shirawi, an intensive care doctor who said she had been working for 48 hours. "We cannot leave, and those on-call cannot come in."
Officials in the hospital said they took in more than 400 people injured in violence on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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