Bahrain protesters reclaim Pearl roundabout in central Manama | World news | The Guardian Bahrain Bahrain protesters reclaim Pearl roundabout in central Manama The standoff in central Manama ends with troops moving out and the return of jubilant demonstrators demanding change Anti government protestors march into Pearl roundabout in Manama after the military and police left. Photograph: Caren Firouz/Reuters Saturday 19 February 2011 14.34 EST First published on Saturday 19 February 2011 14.34 EST Close This article is 5 years old Protesters have reclaimed Pearl roundabout in central Manama as a hub of anti-government dissent after security forces abruptly surrendered the site they had violently seized three days ago. Bahrain's crown prince yesterday ordered troops and riot police to withdraw from the site they had blockaded since Thursday morning. He announced a day of mourning for the seven protesters killed during a week of clashes between the tiny nation's Shia majority and forces loyal to the ruling Sunni dynasty. Around 200 more people have been wounded.

By nightfall, one of the biggest public gatherings in Manama in more than 20 years had swelled to around 40,000 people, with thousands more streaming towards the roundabout that has taken on Tahrir Square-like significance in Bahrain's anti-government movement. The end to the standoff came suddenly, after brief skirmishes between scores of youths draped in Bahraini flags and retreating riot police, who peppered them with rubber bullets and tear gas before leaving. Crown Prince Salman Hamad al-Khalifa last night said the troops would not return, and protesters could remain in the area without fear. As several dozen protesters were being taken to hospital, hundreds more began descending on Pearl roundabout. By last night they were re-pitching tents. Thousands prayed, while others did victory laps, cheering ambulance drivers who were being hailed as heroes. The jubilant atmosphere was tempered by widespread distrust among demonstrators, who began their protests several weeks ago, calling for political reform, and claiming that Bahrain's Sunni minority has discriminated against the Shia majority for decades.

"They will come for us again, we know they will," said one protester, Sayed Majid, as he pointed out Indian food rations left on the square by the troops. The overwhelmingly Shia demonstrators are particularly incensed that the security forces they have clashed with are mainly foreign nationals who have been given citizenship and jobs by the regime. "I know the way they think. Their pride has been wounded and they will try to strike back," he said. Fatima Majid, who had returned to her homeland to join the protests, said: "It is a mercenary corps protecting an artificial regime. The more of us they kill, the more powerful we become." Yesterday, as in previous days since the toppling of autocratic leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, this sense of defiance was felt across the region. In Algeria, hundreds of protesters calling for more democratic freedoms from President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's regime were thrwarted by riot police brandishing clubs. In Yemen, mounting dissent worsened when supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, dressed in civilian clothing, opened fire on a group of students who had gathered outside the capital's Sana'a University, injuring at least four people, one critically.

In the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, not far from Bahrain , Shia Muslims staged a protest to demand the release of prisoners detained without trial. The protest, reported on Rasid.com, a Shia website, was said to have been silent, with no banners for fear of provoking the authorities. There was no such restraint at Pearl roundabout, which last night had an almost folk festival feel to it, as well as a palpable sense that reform was possible. "The government is listening to us now," said Mohammed Najib. "Not because they like us, but because we are in a strong position. The world is watching us and international opinion matters." The order to withdraw troops came after a curt phone call on Friday night from Barack Obama to King Hamad al-Khalifa, in which the US president urged him to show restraint. The government is facing challenges on multiple fronts: Britain indicated on Friday that it may stop selling arms to Bahrain; next month's Formula One grand prix could be cancelled, and neighbouring Gulf states have demanded that stability be restored. Perhaps more alarming for the 200-year-old dynasty is that demonstrators are no longer making a distinction between the ruling family and the government during their calls for reform.

"Down, down with the Khalifas," they shouted in English as they teemed towards Pearl roundabout. "The regime must fall, they will kill us all," doctors and nurses chanted in the grounds of the Salmaniya hospital that had been the focal point of the revolt. A national dialogue, chaired by the crown prince, is due to begin this week. The demonstrators want the kingdom to be a constitutional monarchy, removing some powers from the king. The opposition party, which walked out of the government on Thursday in protests at the raid, is calling for parliamentary reforms, which would mean an end to the country's deeply unpopular prime minister of 30 years and many of his ministers. "We will not stop at regaining a piece of land," said Bassema Mousawi, draped in a banner that read in Arabic: Bahrain is me and I am Bahrain. "They cannot buy us off and they cannot appease us. Real change is what we demand. Nothing less." Such intransigence was heard from protesters across the region. But in many instances it was mixed with desperation at the heavy-handed approach of authorities. Those wanting to protest in Iran and Morocco are preparing for demonstrations today to ram home their message to their countries' rulers.

In the North African country, where the regime of King Mohammed VI claims to be more liberal than its regional neighbours, pro-democracy campaigners are urging people to take to the streets in the cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and Tangier. "We want a government that represents the people, not the elite," said one of the organisers, Mont Asser Drissi. In Iran, the opposition has called for fresh street protests to commemorate the deaths of two pro-democracy youths killed during rallies last week. Saane Zhaleh, 26, and Mohammad Mokhtari, 22, died in Tehran last Monday. Today marks a week since they were killed. "In response to the brutal suppression and killing of the supporters of the Green Movement, we will go out in streets in major squares [of Tehran and other major cities] on Sunday which will mark the seventh day after the death of our martyrs," said the website of former presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi. In the most rigorous crackdown on the opposition since the post-election unrest in 2009, the regime has launched a campaign to silence the leaders of the Green Movement. The protesters will hope to flout that.

The regime has been criticised for hailing the Arab revolts abroad, while refusing to give permission for a peaceful demonstration at home. Muammar Gaddafi's son warns of civil war in state television address as regime tries to halt uprising Published: 20 Feb 2011 Libya's leader faces the worst unrest since he seized power, but no-one expects him to give up peacefully Published: 20 Feb 2011 Bahrain: The Unauthorized Tour Bahrain: The Unauthorized Tour Download PDF Welcome to the Bahrain You're Not Meant to See... Welcome to Bahrain - you must be one of the lucky ones to get a visa so well done! This guidebook will show you a side of Bahrain that the government does not want you to see. For the past fourteen months, the people of Bahrain have been under siege. After watching the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, democracy activists called for protests here in Bahrain as well. The protests were brutally crushed: dozens were killed, hundreds were injured, thousands were arrested -- many tortured in custody -- and thousands were suspended from their jobs.

All of this has been documented by the world's most foremost international human rights organizations, and even by the government-commissioned Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). With the return of the Formula 1 Grand Prix to Bahrain, the government is now desperate to show the international community that things are back to normal and it has learned from its "mistakes." However, despite the facade of normality, none of the underlying problems have been resolved. Hundreds of political prisoners remain behind bars, reports of torture continue, and security forces still carry out abuses with near total impunity. More details are available in the latest reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch . While in Bahrain, the government will want to ensure you only see the shiny towers of Manama's financial district and the glitzy hotels plastered with portraits of the ruling triumvirate. It will want the proregime Gulf Daily News to be your only source of information. But if you take a short drive through any of the nearby villages, you will see an entirely different side to Bahrain. We made this unauthorized tour guide to help you discover this other side. Perhaps not all of the places we mention here are apt for the average tourist.

In that case, we have included ample background material and media about each location so you can see what you're missing! We hope you make the most of your time here! The Pearl Roundabout: Bahrain's Freedom Junction Bahrain's most famous landmark, the Pearl Roundabout, is not that easy to locate. That's because the 300-foot tall structure was demolished by the government last year after pro-democracy protesters used the monument as the rallying point for their mass demonstrations. It was Bahrain's Tahrir Square. The monument was built by the government in 1982, in the middle of an important traffic roundabout in Manama. The six white curved beams represented each of the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The cement pearl that sat atop the beams symbolized Bahrain's historic pearl diving tradition. When mass democracy protests erupted in February 2011, the Pearl Roundabout (known in Arabic as "Lulu") was the most obvious place for demonstrators to use as their base.

On 15 February, after burying a protester who was killed by security forces a day earlier, and the killing of a second protester that morning, thousands of people marched to the roundabout and began to set up tents, emulating what they had seen in Egypt's Tahrir Square. Protesters stayed camped at the site for two days until February 17, when security forces raided the roundabout in a pre-dawn attack, using tear gas, stun grenades and shotguns. Four protesters were killed, and over 600 were injured. Even hospital medical staff who were on duty at the camp were attacked by the security forces. After the roundabout was cleared of protesters, the area was cordoned off by armored vehicles fitted with machine guns, and the Army warned they would take punitive measures to restore order. The next day, protesters defied the Army's warning and marched to try and reclaim the roundabout. Amateur video from that day, now iconic of Bahrain's uprising, shows troops opening fire at unarmed protesters with arms raised as they tried to march towards the roundabout.

The next day, on February 19, protesters once again attempted to reach the roundabout -- this time they were successful as security forces left the area. The protesters occupied the roundabout and carried out daily demonstrations and activities at the site until the 16th of March, when security forces backed by Bahrain's Army and National Guard forcefully cleared the roundabout and launched a widespread crackdown on protesters across the country. Throughout the crackdown, almost three thousand were arrested, and more than four thousand of those believed to be associated with--or sympathetic to--the movement were sacked from their jobs or suspended from university. On the 18th of March, the government tore down the Pearl Monument altogether. Initially, the state news agency asserted that it was demolished to " improve the infrastructure " of the area. Later, Bahrain TV would claim that the destruction was designed to "cleanse," the area, as it had been "violated" and "desecrated" by the "vile" protesters. Bahrain's Foreign Minister said that the destruction was the " removal of a bad memory ." What state media failed to disclose was that a Pakistani crane operator was crushed to death by a falling beam during the demolition process.

The government renamed the site "Al Farooq Junction," intended to be a sectarian dig at the largely-Shia protesters. Getting a glimpse of the actual Pearl Roundabout is out of the question. But you can get a glimpse of the site where the monument once stood. If you're driving towards central Manama from the Seef District on Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway, look out of your car on the right hand side as you cross the Seef Flyover. It's the traffic junction that now resembles an octopus -- but there won't be any vehicles because it is still cordoned off by the military. If you do decide to step down for a better look, make sure you aren't carrying a Bahraini flag, otherwise you might get chased down, beaten up and arrested by security forces, as happened to protester Mohammed al Hayki when he did the same last year. Despite the demolition of the Pearl Roundabout, it has become a symbol of resistance and the democracy movement in Bahrain. If you walk through any village, you are likely to see graffiti art of the monument spray-painted on the walls. Miniature models of the monument are often brought out at protests , or just kept on the street to the ire of government security forces .

Al Farooq Junction under construction in March 2011 The Arab Street: Village Style Away from the glamour of Bahrain's racing circuit and the shiny towers of the capital is one of Bahrain's most well-kept secrets: the villages. It is in these villages where you can catch one of the wellrehearsed nightly performances involving protesters and government security forces. The best places to see the action are on the island of Sitra in the southeast, the villages of Diraz and Bani Jamra near the northwest of Bahrain's main island, or Jidhafs and Sanabis, next to the Seef commercial area. For a more up-to-date schedule of protests in English, check the Facebook page of the British Embassy in Bahrain at . What you will see: Scores of protesters, men women and children, marching with flags and banners, calling for the downfall of the regime ("ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam"), "Down with [King] Hamad" ("yasqut hamad"), and quite likely "No to the Formula 1 race" ("kalla lil formula"). When the protest leaves the village centre, police will usually attack with tear gas, stun grenades and batons.

Recently, clashes have escalated and injuries have become commonplace with police firing birdshot and occasionally live ammunition, and youths throwing molotov cocktails. In 2012 so far, human rights and opposition groups say that up to 31 civilians are said to have died in connection with the unrest: 10 in January, 9 in February, 10 in March, and 2 so far in April. Tear gas is said to be responsible for many of these deaths: since the start of the crackdown in 2011, Physicians for Human Rights says that up to 34 tear gas deaths have been reported. That's not surprising given that police officers throw tear gas directly into people's homes . Another favoured tactic of the police is to drown an entire village in tear gas as a form of collective punishment. So if you're planning a visit, it would be advisable to try and get your hands on a gas mask. If not, try carrying an onion that you should cut and sniff to lessen the effects of the tear gas. If you're lucky, you might also get to see the police throwing Molotov cocktails at the protesters themselves.

Police and youths face off in the village of al-Dair The Writing on the Walls: Political Graffiti In Bahrain, there is no independent media. Local radio and television is owned and run by the government. Local newspapers, while nominally independent, are almost all run by individuals with close ties to the government and have strongly pro-regime editorial positions, regurgitating press releases issued by the state news agency verbatim. (See the section on Al-Wasat Newspaper below for further details) The result is that people have turned to expressing their views using graffiti on the streets. Visit any village and it is likely to be covered in anti-government graffiti. The government often paints over it, but the protesters are relentless. To quote a line of graffiti spraypainted in the village of Salmabad: "If there was someone listening to us, we would have left the walls." Some of the graffiti art is quite elaborate, with much of the recent work focusing on Formula 1's decision to race in Bahrain, despite the ongoing human rights violations. To see some of the best political graffiti artwork, visit Barbar village in the northwest of the island, just off Budaiya Highway.

For a preview of what you can see, check out: A replica of an anti-F1 cartoon by Carlos Latuff in a village in Bahrain Demolished Mosques: AD 1 (AD = After Destruction) While cruising down one of Bahrain's many highways, you might catch a glimpse of Bahrainis of all ages working or praying at construction sites. No, this isn't a government program to "Bahrainise" the expatriate-dominated construction sector or build on the cheap by flouting child labor laws, it is an act of civil disobedience in which residents are rebuilding mosques demolished by the government during last year's "State of National Safety" (read: martial law). On 10 April 2011, almost a month after the government set its bulldozers on the Pearl Roundabout, Bahrain's hard-line Prime Minister of 40 years appeared on the front page of pro-regime tabloid the Gulf Daily News alongside an ominous proclamation: "BUILDINGS TO BE RAZED." In the weeks that followed, the government primarily targeted Shia religious structures on both public and private property, demolishing up to 44 mosques for violations including not having proper permits and being built too close to public roads.

The demolitions were widely seen as a form of collective punishment against the largely- Shia protesters. At least five mosques in full compliance with regulations were also demolished. One of these was the Amir Mohammed Barbaghi Mosque (seen here in 1995), which stood for more than 400 years in the town of A'ali, before authorities bulldozed the building in broad daylight on 17 April 2011. The demolition lasted into the evening, when the mosque's iconic green dome was seen carted away by masked men. Residents began the unauthorized reconstruction of their mosque in February 2012; the site was vandalized in March. As it stands today, the footprint of the former mosque is fenced with several rows of cinderblock. The site is conveniently situated to the left of Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway on your way to Bahrain's Formula One track. Further south and slightly east of the same highway is the Ain Rastan mosque, currently under reconstruction (seen here before demolition). If you're lucky, you might see a friendly expatriate, such as the woman pictured here on March 3rd, donating money to help finance rebuilding.

As you'll see, her money has been put to good use . You'll have to stray further off the beaten path in order to visit Bahrain's first demolished religious structure to be completely rebuilt: Nuwaidrat's Imam Hassan Mosque. Make sure to also swing by Nuwaidrat's Salman Al Farsi Mosque, which was almost completely rebuilt as of mid-April. The site of Bahrain's first protests on 14 February 2011, Nuwaidrat saw ten of its mosques demolished under martial law, the most of any area. A warning: police have been known to occasionally harass worshippers. Last December, riot police interrupted prayers at the demolished Koweikebat mosque in Kawarah with a barrage of tear gas and flashbang grenades directed at congregants. Residents of all ages collaborating on a mosque reconstruction Demolition of the Amir Mohammed Barbaghi Mosque in April 2011 National Democratic Action Society: An Example of Bahrain's Freedom of Dissociation If you're driving round Bahrain and wondering why you keep seeing graffiti depicting this man, then please don't feel threatened. He's not the leader of some gang whose minions are going to steal your hubcaps as soon as you pull up at traffic lights.

He is in fact, Ebrahim Sharif, the mild-mannered, incredibly intelligent Secretary General of the liberal and secular National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ad). Unfortunately for those who wish to meet him, he's in prison, currently serving a five year sentence for exercising his right to free speech (See HRW report ). Fortunately, however, you can still visit the Wa'ad premises, or what's left of them. We don't mean to imply that they are ancient, dilapidated ruins, but following massive political protests last year Wa'ad's premises in Arad and Umm al Hassam were ransacked and set alight. Of course no one knows who did it, but the incarceration of Ebrahim Sharif and the subsequent suspension of Wa'ad by the government all suggest the culprits were simply spirited thugs exercising their patriotic right to defend the nation from seditious, moderate liberals. Once you've grown tired of looking at the burnt remnants of the Umm al Hassan's premises, take a moment to appreciate the sectarian graffiti daubed on the walls, which say things like 'Down with Iran' and 'Shiites get out'. Not quite sure why though, since Ebrahim Sharif himself was a Sunni.

Must be something to do with loyalists fears that a party like Wa'ad have the ability to unite Shia and Sunni forces in opposition the ruling Al-Khalifa regime eh? After enjoying the misconceived, sectarian graffiti, maybe swing by A'ali and drive by the house of Dr. Munira Fakhro, another Wa'ad member whose house was attacked more than once by unknown assailants hurling molotov cocktails. Her crime? Oh, let's just say - high treason? All in all, Bahrain's own contemporary Kristallnacht offers up some stunning views. If the ruins of political hate crime and collective punishment are your thing, then add "Wa'ad officers" to your list of things to do. For something similar, be sure to check out the 24 Hours Supermarket(s)! Graffiti of imprisoned Wa'ad leader Ibrahim Sharif (right) and imprisoned human rights defender Abdulhadi Alkhawaja (left), who has been on hunger strike for more than 70 days Al-Wasat Newspaper: Hot Off the Press - Printing Suspended Keeping up on the news is important, especially for the business traveller.

Fortunately Bahrain has a number of different daily rags to choose from, including the Gulf Daily News, Al-Watan, Al-Ayam, Akbar al-Khaleej and the Daily Tribune. Unfortunately though, you won't find much diversity in the commentary, unless you look towards Al-Wasat, Bahrain's only really balanced newspaper. This balance comes at a price though, and Al-Wasat has been through a lot. This is why you should go and check out their offices in Budaiya. Like the headquarters of the NDAS and the 24 Hours supermarkets, Al Wasat's printing press was also attacked by 'unknown assailants.' Wonder if it was the guys filmed here , the ones burning the paper and calling it 'al-wasikh' (meaning dirty in Arabic)? If you're lucky, you may see the paper's editor Mansoor Al-Jamri hanging about. He's had as tough a time as the offices he works in, and was charged on April 11 last year for 'unethical' reporting. Bear in mind this is the man who won the CPJ International Press Freedom Award.

Al-Wasat was also suspended one April 2 last year after the government accused it of 'publishing fabricated news,' 'harming public safety,' and 'damaging national interests.' As if filing criminal charges against Mansoor al-Jamri and 2 more of Al-Wasat editors wasn't enough, one of its founders Karim Fakhrawi was tortured to death in custody ( BICI, 1005 ). Without Al-Wasat around to challenge their propaganda, the government was free to disseminate their version of events, which stated that Mr. Fakhrawi had died of "kidney failure." Despite the government's war on journalism and journalist, Al-Wasat has since reopened. Just make sure when you visit that you spare a thought for what some of its staff have gone through, all in the name of freedom of speech. Al Wasat Newspaper Costa Coffee: Bahrain's Premier Activist Cafe If all the dust kicked up by those big 2.4 litre engines has worked up a thirst, then why not head to Bahrain's premier activist cafe, the Costa Coffee at the Country Mall near Abu Saiba.

For those of you who find the term 'activist' off-putting then fret not, as we are not necessarily talking about a place full of unwashed, bearded lefties playing backgammon and discussing the merits of Marxist political economy (it is a Costa afterall). On the contrary we are talking about location. Not only is it mere moments from Bahrain's capital city, but its comfortable al fresco seating arrangement offers a vista of the al- Khawaja roundabout, where human rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja was slapped, handcuffed, and unceremoniously dragged into a police car. We know what you're thinking, that's no way for Costa to treat unsatisfied customers, but fear not, the global coffee chain has yet to punish disgruntled punters in such a way. Zainab was in fact, peacefully protesting against continued state repression when the police arrested her. If historical sites are a bit tame, then Bahrain's activist cafe has you covered. Its unique location puts it right in the heart of a number of Bahrain's disenfranchised communities! Extreme sports fans might want to time their trip so that it coincides with one of the country's many peaceful demonstrations.

If you're lucky, you'll get more than a free blueberry muffin! Previous customers have mentioned how they also received free tear gassings , generous truncheonings, and the occasional unsolicited rubber boot to the stomach. As we like to say, 'why pay for a shot of hazlenut syrup when a nostril full of tear gas costs nothing'. For those of you prefer to people watch, then keep an eye for out for the activists who like to frequent the establishment. What do they look like, you ask? Well, just like ordinary people, except with lattes and stuff. Don't be afraid of interacting with them either, as most just want political reform and better democratic representation. Careful what you say though, as the fuzz might be listening ... So what are you waiting for? Head down to Bahrain's premier activist cafe, it's so good it'll have you writing a review on TripAdvisor faster than you can say venti-double-skinny-latte-with extra 2- chlorobenzalmalononitrile.

Costa Coffee customer recovers from tear gas inhalation 24 Hours Supermarket: The Island's Best Smash 'n' Carry If you're out and about in the heat and need to refresh yourself with a soft drink or packet of crisps, then stop by one of the several 24 Hours Supermarket outlets located around the island. These convenient shops have a good supply of food and daily need items, and they are open 24 hours a day. Best of all, if you happen to be short of cash you can simply take stuff off the shelves and walk out without paying. And while you're at it you can smash a few windows and knock down some shelves, just for fun. It's best to do this with the help of a team of riot police officers, who will only be too happy to provide logistical assistance for your looting. As a bonus, the police will also record the incident on video for you as a memento to show your friends and family when you go back home. Don't believe us? Outlets of the supermarket chain have been attacked by vandals over forty times since the military-backed crackdown on pro-democracy protesters last year.

The supermarket chain is owned by the Jawad Business Group, a Shia-run family business. The supermarket chain became a target for pro-government groups because of a rumour that it had supplied free food to anti-government protesters at the Pearl Roundabout in February last year. The CEO of the business group categorically denied the rumour, but that wasn't enough to stop the attacks of the vandals. Still don't believe you can get away with it? Watch the CCTV footage from the most recent attack that took place on April 10 at the Alba roundabout outlet near Nuwaidrat. You can see the vandals break through and ransack the shop. Then a team of uniformed police officers arrive, but instead of arresting the looters, they are shepherded out and an officer starts recording the damage with his own video camera. Then one police officer smashes a window, and another officer steals a bottle of water. The video ends when an officer instructs a looter to smash the CCTV camera. Whether you just want to buy a stick of chewing gum, or smash up a supermarket with the Bahrain police, 24 Hours Supermarket is the place to go.

24 Hours Market (Nuwaidrat) Youth Hostel: Hostile to Youth Accommodation is often one of the biggest concerns for the traveller on a budget. Fear not though, because Bahrain has got you covered. Not only are there plenty of youth hostels, but they are both affordable and well-staffed. Usually we'd recommend the youth hostel in Seef, but there are reports that it has gone downhill of late. Once described as a "friendly, comfortable and modern facility in the Seef Area", the youth hostel now belongs to a chain whose previous guests were less favourable in their reviews. Indeed, some have alleged "that hoses and other objects were inserted into their anus and that guards groped their genitalia aggressively. ( BICI, 1191 ). Not a review you'd expect to see on TripAdvisor, and probably not a place you'd want to stay. We know what you're probably thinking 'I thought this was Bahrain, not Amsterdam, what kind of hostel is this?' Well you're right, it isn't Amsterdam, nor is it a hostel. It's actually a police station. That's right, earlier this year the Ministry of the Interior took over the youth hostel and turned it into a police station .

There have already been reports of torture occurring there, so be careful who you bunk with. On the plus side, it's very cheap. All you need to do is shout 'down with Hamad' and you've got yourself a free bed for the night. Again, watch out for the staff though, they're a dab hand with a truncheon and will not take kindly to you trying to make off with free towels. Remember to also keep your valuables with you at all times. Despite the presence of policemen, there is no CCTV. The reason for this is unclear, though it's probably to circumvent the requirement of the BICI report that states all interrogation facilities be fitted with audiovisual recording equipment ( BICI 1722g ). In other words, it allows the police to mistreat and/or torture detainees without it being recorded. Even the chief of public security admitted that there are riot police bases without CCTV. If you're having trouble finding it, look for the building surrounded by guard towers. You really can't miss it, it contrasts superbly with the nearby shopping malls and luxury apartment blocks. For those of you who want to know more, check out these historical documents that show the conversion from youth hostel to police station.

There's also a video here . Bahrain: forces ‘cleanse’ Pearl Roundabout protests – Channel 4 News Hundreds of Bahraini riot police backed by tanks and helicopters arrived early on Wednesday morning to move around 500 Shia protesters who have been camped out at the roundabout near the financial district for weeks. Protesters threw petrol bombs at the security forces who responded by firing dozens of rounds of teargas. At least two protesters were reportedly killed and dozens more sustained injuries as the security forces moved in. Reports also suggest three policemen were knocked down and killed by protesters as they fled in their cars from the roundabout. Bahrain News Agency enraged protesters in the country with a news story in which it claimed security forced had ‘cleansed’ and ‘purified’ Peal Roundabout. The report read: “Bahrain Defence Force launched an operation to cleanse the Gulf Cooperation Council Roundabout, the Bahrain Financial Harbour, the Salmaniya Medical Complex and the areas surrounding them.” <!– –> Pearl roundabout had been mostly cleared within two hours as protesters fled to other parts of the city. State television showed the roundabout, which has been the epicentre of the pro-democracy campaign, completely empty of protesters.

Abdel Jalil Khalil, the head of the Shia Muslim opposition bloc Wefaq, claimed the death toll was much higher than has been reported and that at least five protesters had been killed and many more injured. “This is a war of annihilation. This does not happen even in wars and this is not acceptable,” he said He also claimed troops were surrounding several hospitals, cutting off access to medical facilities for injured protesters. Crackdown The crackdown came a day after a state of emergency was declared and at least two people were killed in clashes in the Shia suburb of Sitra outside Manama. Seven protesters were killed last week. An order by the king authorised the commander of Bahrain’s defence forces to “take all necessary measures to protect the safety of the country and its citizens,” a statement read out on television on Tuesday said. That order followed the arrival of more than 1,000 Saudi-led troops with a mandate from the Gulf Cooperation Council to support King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa’s regime in the Sunni- ruled, Shia-majority kingdom. The king reshuffled his cabinet on 26 February, replacing four ministers, including two royal family members.

However, he did not sack Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifah ibn Salman al-Khalifah, who has held the office for more than 40 years. Hospital blocked Police and army forces took over the Salmaniya Medical Complex with reports emerging that injured people outside the hospital entrance were barred from entering. Ambulances were also not allowed in or out of the hospital, according to doctors there. The doctors formed human chains at the entrance of the hospital in protest at the blockade, and said they would spread out to local health centres and mosques to help the injured there. Bahrain’s health minister resigned over the government’s crackdown. Nezar bin Sadeq al-Baharna, a Shi’ite, stepped down but did not announce his reasons. It has also been reported that Housing Minister Majeed bin Mohsen al-Alawi was “boycotting” government and 12 judges from the Shi’ite court also resigned. Curfew Bahrain’s military has announced a 12-hour curfew from 4pm to 4am local time across much of the capital Manama, and banned all public gatherings and demonstrations across the country.

A statement from a military officer read: ”A curfew will be imposed from today, Wednesday 16 March 2011, until further notice. It will be imposed from 4pm to 4am, starting from the Sword Bridge until the traffic lights before the Sheikh Issa bin Salman al Khalifa Bridge, and the areas to the left of it and to the right of it to a distance of 400 metres in either direction. Bahrainis in this area should comply with security checks to allow them to move legally in this area. Secondly, marches and gatherings in the kingdom of Bahrain are banned until the country returns to normal. Thirdly, citizens and residents are to cooperate fully with security checks for their safety, and the necessary legal procedures will be taken against all those who do not cooperate,” said a military officer in a live television appearance.” Tehran’s rhetoric darkens Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Bahrain’s crackdown was “unjustifiable and irreparable” and urged the region to heed the mistakes made by former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, who was executed in 2006 after his regime was toppled.

“Their response to their people with rifles, machine guns and helicopters, with shells and tanks; not only is this an ugly, inhuman and unacceptable act, but also it will not have any results. It is clear that it won’t have results,” Ahmadinejad said. He warned leaders in the region not to intervene in neighbouring countries. “It would be good to learn from Saddam’s destiny. Why do they send military powers to a neighbouring country to confront people. Saddam’s destiny can apply to everyone. Why do some insist on repeating Saddam’s mistakes within the region?” Washington ‘alarmed’ On Wednesday, The White House gave its clearest sign so far of its disapproval of Bahrain’s apparent use of force against protesters. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: “We find what’s happening in Bahrain alarming. We think that there is no security answer to the aspirations and demands of the demonstrators,” she said. “We have also made that very clear to our Gulf partners who are part of the Gulf Cooperation Council, four of whose members have sent troops to support the Bahraini government. They are on the wrong track”.

Later, President Barack Obama called the kings of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and urged them to exercise “maximum restraint” with protesters and to pursue political dialogue.” “The president expressed his deep concern over the violence in Bahrain and stressed the need for maximum restraint,” a White House spokesman said. Expats stream out Bahrain Airport remains open at the time of writing and British Airways and Qatar Air are continuing to run a normal service. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) told Channel 4 News that there are currently no plans to charter planes to Bahrain to evacuate British nationals. A spokesman said the FCO does not know how many Britons remain in Bahrain follwoing the announcement of martial law and a national curfew. Aircraft charter company Chapman Freeborn Airchartering is experiencing a surge in demand for charter flights out of Bahrain. Meanwhile, Banks HSBC and Standard Chartered have said they are closing all of their branch offices in Bahrain.

Bahrain protests: 'The repression is getting worse' | World news | The Guardian Bahrain protests: 'The repression is getting worse' Months after its brief exposure to the Arab spring, Bahrain's cat-and-mouse routine of protest and repression continues Monday 8 August 2011 10.53 EDT First published on Monday 8 August 2011 10.53 EDT Share on Messenger Close Hassan Ali Salman is a stocky, fit-looking young man. But he flailed in vain as the police officers grabbed him, one forcing his T-shirt roughly up over his head as three or four others laid in with their wooden batons, dragging and pushing him to a line of waiting Land Cruisers and more helmeted cops. Behind him, on a bare breezeblock wall, crudely drawn nooses encircle the names Hamad and Khalifa – in reference to the king of Bahrain and his uncle the prime minister – alongside graffiti demanding their execution and the overthrow of the regime. The recent scene in Sitra, a short drive from central Manama, the capital, provided an ugly glimpse into the cat-and-mouse routine of protests and repression in this Gulf island state.

Filmed secretly, posted on YouTube and distributed on Twitter, it exposes what Bahrain's western-backed government prefers foreigners not to see. In the nearby cemetery lies the grave of Zainab al-Juma, a disabled woman who died in July after inhaling tear gas from a police grenade. The black flag that marks her "martyrdom" hangs limp in the hot, still air. Another local victim was Ahmed Farhan, shot in March, his brains spilling out of his shattered head live on camera as horrified screams sounded all around. Bahrain is far quieter now than during its brief exposure to the winds of the Arab spring in February and March, but unrest continues. Every night cries of "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) echo through the villages of a Shia underclass that has chafed under the Sunni Al Khalifa dynasty since the country's independence from Britain in 1971. "We go up on to the roofs and shout and then try to march to the entrance of our village," said Abu Ali, a thirtysomething accountant and former prisoner from Karzakan who supports al-Wifaq, the Islamist movement demanding democracy and equal rights for all.

"The repression is getting worse." Haydar, from nearby Diraz, described a savage beating, curses and threats of rape as he was forced to kiss the boots of the police officers who tormented him on 26 June. "They pulled my shirt over my head and every hundred metres they hit me in the face and kicked me," he said. Captain Ahmed of Manama's police special forces unit insists his job is simply to "protect citizens" and that he and his men are reluctant to make arrests or use force. "If we catch someone they are in trouble," he said. "They can lose their job or be thrown out of their studies and that will be on their files for good. Of course we take action if they try to harm us." The night the Guardian joined his four-vehicle patrol the radio network reported small crowds gathering but there were no beatings or shootings. Young men waiting in the shadows in Sanabis, part of a Shia "triangle of steadfastness", ran off when the Land Cruisers roared up, blue lights flashing as the police officers scrambled out, helmet visors down, to demolish the makeshift roadblocks, their gas grenade launchers at the ready. "It's not just kids," a police lieutenant said.

"They are organised quite professionally with co-ordinated actions in different places at the same time." Still, this is basically a public order problem, not a war or – despite the brave rhetoric – a Palestinian-style intifada. Ahmed hopes Bahraini municipalities will respond to police requests to remove the wheels from rubbish bins to stop them being used to barricade roads. Central Manama is calm. Pearl Roundabout in the commercial heart of the city has been wiped off the map , its famous statue has been destroyed and the only clue to its status as Manama's "Tahrir Square" are two or three armoured cars and a refuse cart emblazoned with the name of a radical Shia leader, Hassan Mushayma, a bogeyman for the regime and for Sunnis. Yet underlying tensions remain. Pearl has been renamed Farouq junction, an epithet attached to the seventh-century Sunni Caliph Omar: Shia complain this was intended to provoke them, given their view of Omar as a bitter rival of Ali, the father of Shia Islam. It's one of the signifiers of doctrinal disagreements, dominance and prejudice that are part of the sectarian fabric of Bahraini life. Another is that state TV broadcasts only the Sunni call to prayer.

Sheikh Ali Salman, al-Wifaq's leader, prefers to talk of universal rights. "What Bahrainis want is the same as people elsewhere in the Arab world," he said. "The government succeeded to some extent in portraying what happened here as a Shia-Sunni clash, though it was less successful in convincing anyone that there was Iranian involvement. It also tried to show that the opposition were terrorists. But there is one basic conflict – between those who support democracy and those who want to maintain the current dictatorship." Al-Wifaq withdrew its 18 members from the 40-seat parliament in protest at the first killings of demonstrators in February, but remains committed to peaceful change. Enemies dismiss its moderate image and claim it is no different from Shia hardliners such as Mushayma, who called for a republic to replace the Al Khalifa dynasty, launched a campaign of civil disobedience and destroyed a dialogue between the opposition and the reformist Crown Prince Salman that might – just – have defused the crisis. The crackdown began in earnest on 15 March when most foreign journalists had been thrown out or diverted to Libya. "It was an anti-Shia pogrom," said Hala, an activist who helped plan the Pearl Roundabout protests.

"Arrests began at two or three in the morning. People were dragged out of bed by armed men in ski masks and their houses smashed up. The Mukhabarat [secret police] set up a Twitter account and named people as traitors so that when they tried to leave the country they were picked up." Hundreds remain in prison. Dismissals of some 2,000 people who stayed away from work during the unrest began at the same time. The destruction of around 30 Shia mosques has sharpened the sense of sectarian polarisation. Under pressure from the US, trials have been moved from military to civilian courts and two al-Wifaq MPs and a lawyer were freed at the weekend amid signs that more detainees would be released. But doctors and nurses from the Salmaniya hospital still face charges of occupying the building, hiding weapons, refusing to treat Sunni patients and inciting protests. Sunnis talk of boycotting Shia shops and Shia night workers complain of being stopped by police on their way home. "Even among lawyers there are tensions," said a Sunni who defends Shia clients.

"I am very pessimistic," sighed Jassim, a Shia taxi driver whose startling cockney accent is a souvenir of years of work at the RAF base on Muharraq. "Things are much worse then before." Shia journalists are smeared as traitors and fear harassment or worse if they cover Sunni events. "It's been a big setback for all of us in Bahrain," concluded Munira Fakhro, a Sunni member of the secular opposition Wa'ad party, whose leader Ibrahim Sharif is also behind bars. "We will either come out safe despite our wounds or the situation will deteriorate further." Another middle-class professional woman reflected gloomily: "We sank very low. If we go any further people will start to leave. We were tearing ourselves apart." Two things seem certain: repression without reform will not solve Bahrain's problems and its citizen journalists will keep the story alive. "They are doing our job for us," said a local photographer who works for international news agencies. "They set up webcams in the villages where there are clashes. It's hard to get in and if you do you risk being arrested or hit by a tear gas grenade or worse. If the police catch you they make you erase your pictures. It happened to me once.

After all, they are the ones with the guns." Some names in this report have been changed • This article was amended on 10 August 2011 to clarify and attribute complaints about the renaming of Pearl Roundabout. Shia and Sunni narratives in Bahrain, like in Northern Ireland, remain hard to reconcile – both see themselves as victims Published: 7 Aug 2011 King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia calls for an end to the bloodshed in Syria and recalls his ambassador to Damascus Published: 8 Aug 2011 Protests continue as Bahrain frees political prisoners - CNN.com Protests continue as Bahrain frees political prisoners From Tim Lister, CNN Bahraini protesters hoist a released political prisoner in the air at Pearl roundabout, Manama, on February 22, 2011. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Bahrain's King Hamad leaves on a trip to Saudi Arabia Bahrain urges 'national dialogue' as protests continue The high-profile detainees include prominent Shiites Manama (CNN) -- Large crowds of anti-government demonstrators massed on Wednesday in Manama, Bahrain, buoyed by news of the release of high-profile political detainees.

The release of about 25 detainees followed an order by the king to free them and halt proceedings against others, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights said. Among those released late Tuesday were the prominent blogger and human rights activist Ali Abdulemam, who runs bahrainonline.org; Abdul-Ghani Khanjar, a member of Committee for the Victims of Torture; and Mohammed Saeed, who works with the Bahrain Center for Human Rights. In addition, several prominent Shiite clerics were released as was Dr. Abduljalil Al-Sengais, spokesman of the Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy. Bahraini demonstrator buried Formula One Racing Nabil Rajab of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights told CNN that the releases bring to about 100 the number of political detainees so far released, but he says an estimated 400 people are still detained on politically-inspired charges. The move to free prisoners comes as protests continued in Bahrain. A crush of protesters covered the streets in Manama on Tuesday, according to Bahraini state television. King Hamad, meanwhile, flew Wednesday to Saudi Arabia, where its king returned home after three months abroad for medical treatment. It was unclear what was discussed between the two monarchs.

In the capital city of Manama, tens of thousands of people marched Tuesday in the biggest anti-government rally since thepublic disturbances in the island nation erupted last week, and chants of "No Shia, No Sunni, only Bahraini" and "The regime must go" rang through the multitudes tramping across the center of Manama. The turnout was led by ambulance workers involved in rescuing some of those injured in the assault by security forces last Thursday on the Pearl Roundabout, which has been the epicenter of the Shiite-dominated protest movement. King Hamad urged people to engage in a "national dialogue" and asked Bahrainis "to engage in this new process" and "move away from polarization," according to a government statement. Share this on: Where is Bahrain's unrest headed? - CSMonitor.com Where is Bahrain's unrest headed? Bahrain, a tiny island nation flanked by Saudi Arabia and Iran, showed its willingness today to use force to stymie growing calls for reform. At least three protesters were reported dead in an overnight raid. By Raymond Barrett, Contributor Save for later Saved In this image from video, riot police firing tear gas and wielding clubs storm Pearl Roundabout occupied by anti-government protesters before dawn Thursday, Feb.

17, driving out demonstrators and destroying a makeshift encampment that had become the hub for demands to bring sweeping political changes to the kingdom. Tony Mitchell, HO/AP Photo View Caption of At least three people are reported dead and dozens more seriously injured in Bahrain after riot police violently dispersed protesters in the capital – escalating the confrontation and underscoring the government's willingness to use force to stymie the growing calls for political reform. The raid – in which police used tear gas, batons, and bird-shot – took place overnight as security forces targeted a large crowd of demonstrators who had gathered at a protest camp at the landmark Pearl Roundabout in the capital, Manama . The police action was clearly aimed at preventing a mass demonstration planned for Saturday to call for constitutional reform and a more representative parliament in a country where political power is concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al-Khalifah family. Recommended: Bahrain protests: Five key facts But it's unclear whether the harsh action – which included dozens of Army trucks and armored vehicles – will tamp down protests that have been buoyed by the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt , or only serve to energize protesters, further destabilizing the Persian Gulf kingdom.

Graphic Bahrain How the raid was carried out Armored cars are now patrolling the streets of the capital, and all further protests have been banned by the authorities. But sporadic clashes have occurred in different parts of the city. A statement from the Ministry of Interior claimed that the authorities had attempted to negotiate a peaceful end to the demonstration. "Security forces evacuated the area of Pearl Roundabout from protesters, after trying all opportunities for dialogue with them, in which some positively responded and left quietly," the statement read. However, human rights activists were quick to dismiss these reports, and Al Jazeera reported that the protesters were asleep when the police raid began and that medical staff attending the wounded were among those beaten by police. The violence comes on the fourth consecutive day of protests since demonstrators staged a ‘Day of Rage’ on Feb. 14, with two protesters killed earlier in the week. In the aftermath of these fatalities, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Issa issued an apology and promised an investigation into excessive police violence. But last night's events appear to make a mockery of the monarch's statement of regret.

Sunnis and Shiites could unite against monarchy Bahrain is a key strategic ally of the US and home to the US Navy ’s 5th Fleet, which has seen active service in a range of regional conflicts from Iraq to Afghanistan . However, the country has long been a scene of political and sectarian tensions. Power is concentrated in the hands of the Al Khalifa ruling family who belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. But Shiites account for a majority of the population, and historically they have not enjoyed the same economic opportunities as Sunnis. Unlike the shock that greeted the uprising in Cairo ’s Tahrir Square , Bahrain has long been the scene of political discontent. During the Iran -Iraq war in the 1980s and again in the 1990s, the Bahraini government repeatedly jailed members of Shiite political groups calling for greater political representation. Such actions were justified in terms of national security threats amid lingering territorial claims by Iran over Bahrain. Attempts at political reform in 2002 that changed the country from an emirate to a constitutional monarchy have so far failed to yield meaningful change.

However, if the current maelstrom of political reform rushing through the region unites both the Shiite underclass with middle-class Sunnis tired of the status quo, the Al Khalifah dynasty may be forced to cede more power to the people, or use greater force to suppress dissent. Seven opposition groups have come together to organize protests for Saturday, hoping to draw as many as 100,000 but expecting at least half that, the Wall Street Journal reported. Next up Where is Bahrain's unrest headed? Where is Bahrain's unrest headed? By Raymond Barrett Pin it Share At least three people are reported dead and dozens more seriously injured in Bahrain after riot police violently dispersed protesters in the capital – escalating the confrontation and underscoring the government's willingness to use force to stymie the growing calls for political reform. The raid – in which police used tear gas, batons, and bird-shot – took place overnight as security forces targeted a large crowd of demonstrators who had gathered at a protest camp at the landmark Pearl Roundabout in the capital, Manama.

The police action was clearly aimed at preventing a mass demonstration planned for Saturday to call for constitutional reform and a more representative parliament in a country where political power is concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al-Khalifah family. Bahrain protests: Five key facts But it's unclear whether the harsh action – which included dozens of Army trucks and armored vehicles – will tamp down protests that have been buoyed by the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, or only serve to energize protesters, further destabilizing the Persian Gulf kingdom. How the raid was carried out Armored cars are now patrolling the streets of the capital, and all further protests have been banned by the authorities. But sporadic clashes have occurred in different parts of the city. A statement from the Ministry of Interior claimed that the authorities had attempted to negotiate a peaceful end to the demonstration. "Security forces evacuated the area of Pearl Roundabout from protesters, after trying all opportunities for dialogue with them, in which some positively responded and left quietly," the statement read. However, human rights activists were quick to dismiss these reports, and Al Jazeera reported that the protesters were asleep when the police raid began and that medical staff attending the wounded were among those beaten by police.

The violence comes on the fourth consecutive day of protests since demonstrators staged a ‘Day of Rage’ on Feb. 14, with two protesters killed earlier in the week. In the aftermath of these fatalities, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Issa issued an apology and promised an investigation into excessive police violence. But last night's events appear to make a mockery of the monarch's statement of regret. Sunnis and Shiites could unite against monarchy Bahrain is a key strategic ally of the US and home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, which has seen active service in a range of regional conflicts from Iraq to Afghanistan. However, the country has long been a scene of political and sectarian tensions. Power is concentrated in the hands of the Al Khalifa ruling family who belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. But Shiites account for a majority of the population, and historically they have not enjoyed the same economic opportunities as Sunnis. Unlike the shock that greeted the uprising in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Bahrain has long been the scene of political discontent. During the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and again in the 1990s, the Bahraini government repeatedly jailed members of Shiite political groups calling for greater political representation.

Such actions were justified in terms of national security threats amid lingering territorial claims by Iran over Bahrain. Attempts at political reform in 2002 that changed the country from an emirate to a constitutional monarchy have so far failed to yield meaningful change. However, if the current maelstrom of political reform rushing through the region unites both the Shiite underclass with middle-class Sunnis tired of the status quo, the Al Khalifah dynasty may be forced to cede more power to the people, or use greater force to suppress dissent. Seven opposition groups have come together to organize protests for Saturday, hoping to draw as many as 100,000 but expecting at least half that, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bahrain protests: Five key facts Reblog Where is Bahrain's unrest headed? Where is Bahrain's unrest headed? By Raymond Barrett Tweet Share At least three people are reported dead and dozens more seriously injured in Bahrain after riot police violently dispersed protesters in the capital – escalating the confrontation and underscoring the government's willingness to use force to stymie the growing calls for political reform.

The raid – in which police used tear gas, batons, and bird-shot – took place overnight as security forces targeted a large crowd of demonstrators who had gathered at a protest camp at the landmark Pearl Roundabout in the capital, Manama. The police action was clearly aimed at preventing a mass demonstration planned for Saturday to call for constitutional reform and a more representative parliament in a country where political power is concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al-Khalifah family. Bahrain protests: Five key facts But it's unclear whether the harsh action – which included dozens of Army trucks and armored vehicles – will tamp down protests that have been buoyed by the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, or only serve to energize protesters, further destabilizing the Persian Gulf kingdom. How the raid was carried out Armored cars are now patrolling the streets of the capital, and all further protests have been banned by the authorities. But sporadic clashes have occurred in different parts of the city. A statement from the Ministry of Interior claimed that the authorities had attempted to negotiate a peaceful end to the demonstration. "Security forces evacuated the area of Pearl Roundabout from protesters, after trying all opportunities for dialogue with them, in which some positively responded and left quietly," the statement read.

However, human rights activists were quick to dismiss these reports, and Al Jazeera reported that the protesters were asleep when the police raid began and that medical staff attending the wounded were among those beaten by police. The violence comes on the fourth consecutive day of protests since demonstrators staged a ‘Day of Rage’ on Feb. 14, with two protesters killed earlier in the week. In the aftermath of these fatalities, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Issa issued an apology and promised an investigation into excessive police violence. But last night's events appear to make a mockery of the monarch's statement of regret. Sunnis and Shiites could unite against monarchy Bahrain is a key strategic ally of the US and home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, which has seen active service in a range of regional conflicts from Iraq to Afghanistan. However, the country has long been a scene of political and sectarian tensions. Power is concentrated in the hands of the Al Khalifa ruling family who belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. But Shiites account for a majority of the population, and historically they have not enjoyed the same economic opportunities as Sunnis. Unlike the shock that greeted the uprising in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Bahrain has long been the scene of political discontent.

During the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and again in the 1990s, the Bahraini government repeatedly jailed members of Shiite political groups calling for greater political representation. Such actions were justified in terms of national security threats amid lingering territorial claims by Iran over Bahrain. Attempts at political reform in 2002 that changed the country from an emirate to a constitutional monarchy have so far failed to yield meaningful change. However, if the current maelstrom of political reform rushing through the region unites both the Shiite underclass with middle-class Sunnis tired of the status quo, the Al Khalifah dynasty may be forced to cede more power to the people, or use greater force to suppress dissent. Seven opposition groups have come together to organize protests for Saturday, hoping to draw as many as 100,000 but expecting at least half that, the Wall Street Journal reported. Bahrain protests: Five key facts Reblog

Question: Pearl Roundabout has been a scene of political protests, in which city is it?
Answer: Manama