Riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets stormed a landmark square occupied by anti-government protesters in Bahrain on Thursday, driving out demonstrators and destroying a makeshift encampment that had become the hub for demands to bring sweeping political changes to the kingdom.
The main Opposition group Al Wefaq said at least two people were killed in the pre-dawn assault on Pearl Square, which was littered with flattened tents, trampled banners and broken glass. There was no official word on deaths or injuries.
After police regained control of the plaza, they chased protesters through sidestreets and put a ring of vehicles around the area with blue lights flashing in the darkened city just as the dawn call for prayers rang out.
Text: AP
Image: Bahraini anti-government protesters wave flags in a demonstration at the Pearl roundabout in Manama on Wednesday evening, Feb 16, 2011. (Photographs copyright AP)
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