Thursday, March 17, 2011

Bahrain arrests opposition leaders after crackdown


Leaders of hardline parties among those held as troops take control of Pearl roundabout amid rising fear of regional conflict

The Guardian

"Bahrain has arrested at least six opposition leaders, a day after its crackdown on protests by the Shia Muslim majority drew rare US criticism and raised fears of a regional conflict.

Bahraini forces used tanks and helicopters to drive protesters off Manama's streets and clear a camp that had become a symbol of their demand for more democratic rights in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.

Three police and three protesters died in the crackdown. It prompted sympathy protests from Shias across the region and analysts said it might provoke a response from Iran, which supports Shia groups in Iraq and Lebanon.

Pearl roundabout was a scene of devastation....."

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