Bahraini troops raid protesters' camp

Bahraini troops raid protesters’ camp

25 February, 2011 10:49

Bahraini troops have raided the protest camp in Pearl Square in Manama, the night before a massive rally was planned by protesters to commemorate what they described as the martyrs of Bahrain’s uprising.

The troops attacked the protesters Friday night as they were asleep.

Bahrainis plan rally to mourn martyrs

Bahrainis are due to swarm the capital’s main square on Friday (today) to commemorate the death of those shot by government troops during recent pro-democracy protest rallies.

At least seven people have been killed in 11 consecutive days of popular protests, calling for the ouster of the Al-Khalifa dynasty, which has ruled the country for over 200 years.

The Persian Gulf island’s leading Shia clerics have called on the masses to rally in Pearl Square on Friday to “mourn the martyrs,” AFP reported on Wednesday.

The Shias enjoy demographic predominance in the kingdom. They, however, have long complained about being discriminated against by the Sunni-led government when it comes to employment opportunities and the right to services.

From August to October, when the country held parliamentary polls, the monarchy arrested more than 250 Shias, accusing 23 of them of plotting a coup and provoking “violence, rioting and terrorism.”

The arrests were interpreted as part of Manama’s plans to rig the election.

The public, enraged by the government’s brutal attempts to suppress the protests, has set up a tent city in the square — which they now call the â€œMartyrs’ Roundaboutâ€ — camping out for the past five nights to persist on their demands.