Drama in Manama: Police in Bahrain fire tear gas at anti-government protest as anniversary nears
Bahraini anti-government protesters run for cover from tear gas during clashes in December with riot police near the headquarters of the main Shiite opposition group, Al-Wefaq, in Zinj Village, west of Manama.
In what the news agency Reuters described as a rare public protest in the capital, demonstrators clashed with Bahraini police in Manama today as Shia Muslims kept up pressure on the government for reforms.
The first anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising falls on Feb 14.
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The roving wave of popular uprisings that swept Middle Eastern autocracies last year came to Bahrain but was met with a government crackdown. Unlike Syria, Bahrain is run by the Sunni al-Halifa family, but has a majority Shiite population, according to Reuters, which said clashes with police have worsened as the Feb 14 anniversary draws near.
The news agency said police had set up checkpoints in the old district of Manama to stop protesters from gathering: Nabeel Rajab, a human rights activist, led around 500 people in chanting “Down with [King] Hamad” during a procession through back alleys before being met by police who fired tear gas.
Police gave chase on foot, firing tear gas, sound bombs and rubber bullets while youths retaliated with stones and Molotov cocktails, according to Reuters, which said stormy weather blew away most of the tear gas.
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According to Reuters, a commission of international legal experts formed by King Hamad said in November that between February and June, when martial law was lifted, 35 people had been killed in the unrest. But activists say the true number is more than 60.
Reuters also reported yesterday that the unrest threatened to undermine a budding economic recovery based on stimulus spending and support from neighboring countries.