AhlulBayt News Agency

source : ABNA, Agencies
Monday

13 February 2012

8:30:00 PM
296425

Bahrain King: Those Trying to Drive Bahrain Into a Dark Tunnel Will Fail

Security forces in Bahrain have fired tear gas and stun grenades at protesters trying to occupy a landmark square in the nation's capital ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Gulf kingdom's Shi'a, Sunni uprising.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - MANAMA: Bahrain King Hamdad Bin Issa al-Khalifa ordered security forces and troops to severely encounter any public gathering all around the country especially in the capital Manama, on the first anniversary of the Shi'a and Sunni uprising - and vowed that those seeking to drive the country into a 'dark tunnel' would not succeed.

Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, voiced to suppress the revolutionists.

They vowed that parties seeking to drive the country into a "dark tunnel" would fail, adding that law would be the arbiter in addressing the aftermath of the unrest.

They lauded the security forces for steadfastness and self-restraint in maintaining security and order.

Thousands of peaceful teenagers blocked off streets in the village of Sanabis, taunting police as "cowards" and "mercenaries" because some are from Pakistan and Yemen. A policeman shouted to people to get indoors. "This gathering is illegal," police said.

According to witnesses Security forces in Bahrain have fired live bullet, tear gas and stun grenades at protesters in the nation's capital ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Gulf kingdom's uprising.

Thousands of peaceful protesters marched through Manama's streets in the largest attempt in months to retake Pearl Square, the central roundabout that served as the epicenter of weeks of protests last year by Bahrain's Shi'ite majority against the ruling dynasty.

Thousands of riot police and other security forces have staked out positions around the square and also across the Gulf island nation to prevent the anti-discrimination people from staging a mass rally in or near the plaza to mark Tuesday's one-year anniversary of the revolt.

Anti-regime protesters were undeterred by the authorities' warnings of zero tolerance for anti-government activities in the strategic island that is the home of the US Navy's 5th Fleet.

More than 50 police vehicles filled a site that protesters have dubbed "Freedom Square", which hosted several government-sanctioned opposition gatherings last week.

After the government imposed martial law last March in response to the demonstrations, security forces stormed the protesters' encampment at the landmark square in a bid to crush the uprising. The authorities then razed the towering white monument that stood in the center of the plaza.

The now heavily guarded square holds great symbolic value for Bahrain's opposition movement, and protesters have repeatedly tried to reoccupy it. But authorities have effectively locked off the capital to demonstrations since March.

Emergency rule was lifted in June, but street battles between security forces and protesters still flare up almost every day in the predominantly Shi'ite villages around the capital.

At least 68 people have been killed during months of unprecedented political unrest in Bahrain, the Gulf country hardest hit by upheaval during last year's Arab Spring protests.

Neighboring Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states dispatched troops to Bahrain in March to help crush the protests.

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