Epress.am News from Armenia
At least two people were killed early Thursday morning when Bahraini police swarmed into the capital, Manama, to roust protesters from the Pearl Roundabout, emergency hospital services said.
Witnesses said police came in with dozens of vehicles, surrounded the roundabout and began firing “pellet bullets,” rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators, CNN reports.
The area had become a magnet for pro-democracy activists, angered by the killing of two demonstrators by security forces earlier this week.
For two days, protesters were largely left alone by authorities. But around 3:30 am local time Thursday, police changed tactics. Hundreds of white-helmeted police swarmed the roundabout.
There are reports that at least 100 people have been injured.
Bahrain is ruled by a Sunni Muslim royal family, but two-thirds of the population are Shiites. In recent years, younger Shiites have staged violent protests to complain about discrimination, unemployment and corruption, and many Shiites say the country’s constitution has done little to improve their condition.