Bahrain: State’s Lethal Crackdown Backfires on Regime

21.2.11

Bahrain: State’s Lethal Crackdown Backfires on Regime: "Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters are camping at the Pearl Monument – now dubbed Pearl Square – in defiant mood after facing down riot police on Saturday afternoon. Military helicopters could be heard over the city, but it seems that the authorities have ordered the army and police to withdraw after shocking scenes of state violence in recent days failed to quell the demonstrators.

Medics at the main public hospital at Salmaniya said they were still struggling to cope with the numbers suffering from gunshot wounds, some of the victims in a critical condition.

More than 200 people are being treated at the hospital, including children who suffered severe skin burns from tear gas fired at anti-government protesters. Victims were seen being trolleyed from the Accident and Emergency Department to other wards to make way for newly admitted patients. Men were limping along corridors suffering from gunshot wounds and several had bandaged heads."