BAHRAIN’S BIGGEST political group has pulled out of parliament following clashes that have left five people dead.
Al-Wefaq Shia Islamic society, which had occupied 18 of the 40 seats in Bahrain’s parliament, announced its decision yesterday. The communique came following fighting between police and anti-government demonstrators.
Thousands of mainly Shia protesters demanding more say in the Sunni-ruled kingdom were dispersed with the use of tear gas and rubber bullets. Three people were killed during the melee, bringing the number of deaths since the start of demonstrations on Monday to five.
The protesters had been camping out at the Pearl Roundabout, just outside the capital city of Manama, for a second night,
“This is an atrocity,” said Abdul Jalil Khalil, a senior member of al- Wefaq. “Whoever took the decision to attack the protest was aiming to kill.”
The crackdown by the Bahraini authorities appeared designed to snuff out the protests before they could gather momentum.
Bahrain’s foreign minister said pro-democracy protesters were warned before the police attacked. “The country was on the brink of a sectarian abyss,” said Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa. “So it was a very important step that had to happen. Police took every care possible.” He called the deaths “unfortunate”.
The usual rush-hour traffic on the highways of Bahrain in the morning was replaced by the rumble of dozens of army tanks as the military moved to seal off the area. Most offices around the kingdom were closed, with residents advised to avoid any unnecessary travel. Several supermarkets around the country ran out of fresh meat and vegetables as people started to panic-buy.
The second round of the GP2 Asia Series, support motor races for Formula One set to start at Bahrain International Circuit today, has been cancelled because of the unrest. A decision on whether the upcoming Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled to take place at the same venue from March 11th to 13th, will go ahead will be made next week.
In a statement issued yesterday through the Bahrain Irish Society, the Irish Embassy in neighbouring Saudi Arabia advised citizens to maintain a high level of security awareness. “While there is no indication that this situation is threatening or targeting westerners, Irish citizens should . . . maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and on major highways; and avoid large crowds and demonstrations as these could turn violent.”