More like this
Protesters die as Bahrain police storm Pearl Square
At least four people were killed and hundreds injured when police broke up campers today (with video)
The storming early today of Pearl Square in Manama, Bahrain was captured on this video. Four people are reported to have been killed, and around 300 more injured, when police raided the square. Protesters who had been camping there since Monday were caught while they were still asleep.
According to Guardian reporter, Martin Chulov, the police were "firing teargas and birdshot, and wielding clubs and knives, which they used to cut through tents set up by demonstrators".
Inspired by the protest in Tahrir Square, Cairo, which helped bring down the presidency of Hosni Mubarak, the Bahrainis have been demanding reforms and better representation for Shiites in the Sunni-ruled government.
Pearl Square – also known in Manama as Lulu Roundabout - is apparently now empty, and roadblocks are operating across the city. Tanks have been sited on several routes.
"Whoever took the decision to attack the protest was aiming to kill," said Abdul Jalil Khalil, a member of the opposition party, Islamic National Accord Association (al Wefaq). "This is real terrorism." ·
