Clashes in Bahrain before planned protest rally
AP / BRIAN MURPHY
14-Feb-2011 (7 comments)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Bahrain's security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse anti-government protesters Monday in advance of plans to stage major rallies and bring the Arab reform wave to the Gulf for the first time.

The sporadic unrest since late Sunday underscores the sharply rising tensions in the tiny island kingdom — a strategic Western ally and home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

Social media sites have been flooded with calls by an array of political youth groups, rights activists and others to join demonstrations later Monday, a symbolic day in Bahrain as the anniversary of the country's 2002 constitution that brought pro-democracy reforms such as an elected parliament.

But opposition groups seek deeper changes from the country's ruling dynasty, including transferring more decision-making powers to the parliament and breaking the monarchy's grip on senior government posts. Bahrain's majority Shiites — about 70 percent of the population — have long complained of systemic discrimination by the Sunni rulers.

The nation — no bigger in area than New York City — is among the most politically volatile in the Gulf. A crackdown on perceived dissidents last year touched off riots and street battles in Shiite areas.

In the mostly Shiite village of Diraz, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to halt a march by hundreds of peaceful demonstrators waving Bahraini flags and chanting: "No Shiites,... >>>

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asadabad

.

by asadabad on Mon Feb 14, 2011 06:01 PM PST

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asadabad

@zuruz

by asadabad on Mon Feb 14, 2011 04:11 PM PST

The Shah/UK didn't "give" Bahrain away.  They lost Bahrain because the costs associated with holding the territory became greater than the benefits. 

In all honesty though, the ruling family of Bahrain has done a good job modernizing the country.  They have attracted so much foreign investment.  Their economy is flowering.  If Iran ruled Bahrain, the mullahs would've turned it into a dump. 

 


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zuruz

THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF EX-SHAH OF IRAN WAS GIVING AWAY BAHRAIN

by zuruz on Mon Feb 14, 2011 03:46 PM PST

The biggest mistake of ex-shah of Iran was giving away one of the greatest part of Persia/Iran to British colonialism in the Persian Gulf region. Shah unfairly divided sisters & brothers and families of this thousands years old ancient great nation with his bad policies. BAHRAIN was the heart of Iran and the 14th province of Iran as well and will be reunited with their homeland soon after toppeling their present corrupt foreign puppet dictator regime once for all. LONG LIVE BRAVE PEOPLE OF BAHRAIN WHO HAVE BEEN THE SIMBOLS OF STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM LONG TIME AND DEATH TO DICTATORS ALL OVER THE WORLD. DICTATORS MUST GO WHERE MUBARAK, BIN ALI AND SADDAM WENT STRAIGHT TO HELL WHETHER IN THE PERSIAN GULF REGION, MIDDLE EAST OR ELSEWHERE AROUND THE WORLD. 


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iamfine

That is a givin

by iamfine on Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:20 AM PST

We already know Iran will be free. But, we also must look ahead


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Roozbeh_Gilani

Lets get Iran back to Iranians first..

by Roozbeh_Gilani on Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:13 AM PST

Then worry about bahrain. 

"Personal business must yield to collective interest."


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iamfine

Bahrain should be part of Iran

by iamfine on Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:28 AM PST

Bahrain should be given back to Iran - Marg bar Engliss


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mullah-kosh

All puppet regimes must go

by mullah-kosh on Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:13 AM PST

Yes, and also an Arab puppet regime is on its way out. Everyday, the country and the nation is becoming more and more radicalized, and the anti-islamic, and anti-occupation forces are gaining strength. It may not be today, but it will come, and when it comes, the downfall of the arab puppet regime will have the greatest echo in the world, facilitated by the extermination of those who occupied the nation, and those who supported the occupiers in every corner of the world.


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