You are herecontent / Bahrain March 16: Serious Escalation, More Martyrs & People Stand Strong

Bahrain March 16: Serious Escalation, More Martyrs & People Stand Strong

By Ali Lari

March 16, Bahrain -- In a serious escalation of matters in Bahrain, the government sends tanks into the streets, clears Martyrs Roundabout (formerly Pearl Roundabout), kills 5 more (according to AP) and injures hundreds. It has announced curfew on the area surrounding Martrys Roundabout and has barred people from accessing certain areas. Not only so, but people from many areas around Bahrain, especially Sitra, Ma'ameer and villages in the Northern Governorate could hear live rounds being used outside of their houses and people running with handguns or bean bag guns.

Detentions

Bahrainis thought perhaps this is as far as the fearful regime will go... Apparently not. A few hours ago, certain political figures have been arrested, including Hassan Mushaima, Dr. Abul-Jalil al-Singace, Abdul-Wahab Hussain and Ebrahim Sharif (written by his daughter: http://www.twitlonger.com/show/9alsg9). Abdul-Hadi al-Khawaja was also taken into custody for a few hours but returned after investigations. There are reports of more political figures being detained, yet it is unclear if their detention is temporary (for investigation purposes only) or they're being locked up. We will find out by tomorrow morning perhaps.

Government resignations

2 government ministers resigned today: Sayed Majid al-Alawi (Minister of Housing) and Dr. Nezar al-Baharna (Minister of Health). Other government officials have resigned including 12 judges and the king's adviser in judicial matters Shaykh Ahmed al-Asfoor. Al-Shura council (chamber of parliament appointed by the king) member Sayed Dheya al-Mossawi, Sayed Habib Hashim, Ali al-Asfoor and Mohamed al-Sitri (bringing total of al-Shura members resigned to 9 out of 40 - http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=301958). The king's adviser in legislative matters & the vice chair of the high council for Islamic affairs Dr. Mohamed Ali al-Sitri has announced he has stopped his work with the government (unsure if that is considered a resignation). Also there are reports of the resignation of Ahmed bin Salloom, the interior ministry's adviser.

Government spreading sectarianism in Bahrain

“We’re not after you. We’re after Shia,” the policeman added. Mr. Slackman recalls: “It sounded like they were hunting rats.” (Bahrain Pulls a Qaddafi by Nick Kristof http://nyti.ms/hSkzxu)

Bahrain's state television's (BTV) claims & lies

BTV claims helicopters were used for filming only... Really? Liars!

http://www.m5zn.com/uploads/2011/3/16/photo/031611040314sb525htoisoiz2.jpg & http://plixi.com/p/84411331

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnGuPMMVfXU (video of helicopter shooting)

BTV claims no live rounds were shot. Liars!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K37bcUycXww

http://twitpic.com/49zy62 (man shot in hand raises "victory" symbol) http://twitpic.com/49zl1e (graphic image)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K_zkzNQTjs (man shot at 00:57 of video)

BTV claims the protesters sent the tents on fire. Liars!

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/196534_159931820730245_15...

http://yfrog.com/gyovfdij

BTV claims the protesters damage peoples' property and cars. Liars!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukpriV35efo

http://im2.gulfup.com/2011-03-16/1300300724874.jpg

Abuse, abuse and abuse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rds6hUMssgQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNH1OGUcaBM (from March 15)

Riot police have besieged Salmaniya Hospital

Doctors cannot come out: "We are trapped," Sharaf said. "We are asking for the security forces to please stay outside the hospital. They are beating the staff." http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/16/bahrain.protests/index.html

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190282_10150158287971183_...

http://yfrog.com/h3nduluj (showing "victory" symbols... what "victory"?)

http://bb.ta7a.com/upfiles/ta7a-bse59263.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199612_10150108195588994_...

A few of today's martyrs (there are reports of other martyrs, but there is no clear information on them yet)

http://bb.ta7a.com/upfiles/ta7a-Dj356862.jpg (Ahmed al-Arnoot from Tubli, 23 years old)

http://twitpic.com/49yj49 (Ja'far Sadiq from Karrana)

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/199510_153275521400813_10... (Ja'far Ma'yoof from Aali)

Army on the streets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXrpJJ552_k

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199221_10150454981555192_...

http://img103.herosh.com/2011/03/16/454409624.jpg (tanks on the streets)