Saturday, February 19, 2011
Associated Press
MANAMA, Bahrain
Security forces opened fire Friday on Bahraini protesters for a second-straight day, wounding at least 50 people as thousands defied the government and marched toward the Pearl Roundabout in an uprising that sought to break the political grip of the Gulf nation’s leaders.
Once again, Bahrain authorities showed no hesitation in using force against demonstrators who ramped up demands to bring down the whole ruling monarchy.
U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the use of violence against the protesters in Bahrain, as well as in Libya and Yemen, where heavy crackdowns by old-guard regimes were reported. A Libyan doctor said 35 protesters were killed in the eastern city of Benghazi during a confrontation with security forces, while four people were killed and 48 were wounded during protests called as part of a “Friday of Rage” in Yemen.
The continuing wave of anger in the Arab world followed successful uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, where hundreds of thousands of people celebrated the downfall of President Hosni Mubarak one week ago.
Critically injured protesters again were rushed to Manama’s main Salmaniya hospital, which also received the dead and wounded after riot police smashed a protest encampment early Thursday in the landmark square.
Some doctors and medics on emergency medical teams were in tears as they tended to the wounded. X-rays showed bullets still lodged inside victims.
“This is a war,” said Dr. Bassem Deif, an orthopedic surgeon examining people with bullet-shattered bones.
Of the 50 injured, seven were critically hurt, Health Ministry official said. Seven people have died in Bahrain’s unrest this week, including five Thursday, and more than 200 have been wounded.
Protesters on Friday described a chaotic scene of tear-gas clouds, bullets coming from many directions and people slipping in pools of blood as they sought cover. Some claimed the gunfire came from either helicopters or sniper nests.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama condemned the violence in Bahrain and urged the country’s king in a phone call to show restraint.
Obama discussed the situation with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on Friday evening. Obama asked the king to hold those responsible for the violence accountable.