Thread: Bahrain : Facebook-powered protesters take aim

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Couple of points:

"Civilian eyewitnesses could not, however, confirm whether the tanks belonged to the Saudi military."

A quite important point, considering they could just be the ones that were removed from the Pearl Roundabout the week before last.

"The presence of Saudi military hardware in Bahrain is considered highly unusual."

And it wouldn't be wandering over in full view of the general public at 6:45pm.

So basically this story is bollocks.

There is a massive pro government rally planned at Al Fateh Mosque tomorrow evening at 6:00pm local time.

Let's see those cunts from CNN, BBC and Sky News there asking people what they think.

As usual, Occam's Razor applies:

Crude oil prices rose yesterday on reports that 30 Saudi tanks had been transported to Bahrain. Bahraini officials denied the report, though they confirmed the movement of tanks across the border.
“There are no Saudi Arabian tanks in Bahrain,” the officials said. “Tanks identified on Monday evening were Bahraini tanks returning from Kuwait National Day celebrations, where military from several Allied countries participated.”

I can confirm this, as the Ruler of Bahrain was in Kuwait attending the celebrations, which have become a lot more militaristic with National Day and Liberation (from Iraq) Day taking place consecutively.

You may remember the spectacular helicopter display they put on one year in front of Bush Sr....

And the "Saudi Tanks to Bahrain" story has been traced back to:

Guess Who?

Quelle fucking surprise.

We've had lots of coverage from CNN, Sky, BBC, Al Jazeera, ABC, CBS, The New York Times, even the wanker from Dow Jones that thinks Pearl Roundabout is "in the business district" (really?!), and all the other so-called "reporters" who only reported one side of the story, that of the Iran-fuelled Shi'a protestors who are always looking for an opportunity to turn Bahrain into the Iranian Islamic Republic.


So where are they now?

This is the rest of Bahrain at Al Fateh Mosque last night.




And not a fucking peep out of any of the media. They just reported a few thousand Shi'a marching to one of the ministries.

I suppose "100,000+ Bahrainis have mass rally and don't riot" isn't really news, is it?

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

100,000+ Bahrainis

A normal evening attendance no doubt.

A bit of background. Hamad Town is essentially a sprawling council estate, populated historically by Sunni and Shi'a, but in the last year by Syrians, Jordanians, Egyptians and so on, brought in to bring about a bit of balance in the elections and to staff the security services.

There have been sporadic fights like this on and off for the last year.

However, in this instance they texted all their Shi'a mates to come down and join them.

I think the government is just waiting it out until they lose their temper and go on the rampage. At that point, they will feel justified in wading in and sorting the cunts out, and most of us can't wait.

Sunni and Shia Muslims clashed in a town in Bahrain yesterday in the first direct confrontation between the two sides since large scale protests erupted in the kingdom's main city two weeks ago.
Residents said a group of Shias fought with a group of Sunnis and what they said were Bahrainis of Syrian extraction in the town of Hamad. "There were about a hundred people involved," one resident said.
Police helicopters circled overhead and two ambulances rushed from the scene. Youth with sticks and batons were also leaving the area.
The protesters camped out in the capital want political reform and better access to government jobs for the country's Shia majority, which has long complained of second class status and discrimination. The government denies this.
The clash came on the same day that Bahraini opposition groups said they were now ready to enter into talks with the government without pre-conditions, but have sent a letter to the crown prince saying they want a new government and constitution.
A Sunni royal family rules the country of 1.2 million, half of whom are native Bahrainis, and a majority of those Shia.
The protests in the capital Manama have been largely free of violence after police withdrew following an initial crackdown that killed seven.
The crowds, which also include some Sunnis, have been careful to avoid sectarian tones and instead stuck to calls for national freedom and unity.
Residents in Hamad said fighting died down when police forces arrived. Later there was a standoff between riot police and groups of Shias who rushed to the area from other parts of Bahrain.

US SECRETARY of State Hillary Clinton said yesterday that Iran is directly or indirectly communicating with opposition groups in Egypt, Bahrain and Yemen in a bid to shape events there.
It was the first time that Clinton detailed alleged efforts by Iran to meddle in the three-month wave of Arab revolts that has toppled presidents in Tunisia and Egypt, convulsed Libya and shaken Yemen, Bahrain and Oman.
"They are doing everything they can to influence the outcomes in these places," Clinton told the Senate Appropriations Committee.
"They are using Hezbollah ... to communicate with counterparts ... in (the Palestinian movement) Hamas who then in turn communicate with counterparts in Egypt," the chief US diplomat said.
"We know that they are reaching out to the opposition in Bahrain. We know that the Iranians are very much involved in the opposition movements in Yemen," she said.
"So either directly or through proxies, they are constantly trying to influence events. They have a very active diplomatic foreign policy outreach," she added.
In a bid to counteract the Iranian moves, she said, the US is making contacts of its own with opposition groups across the Middle East and North Africa.
She said nonetheless "it's a constant effort on our part" to keep Iranian influence at bay, adding she needed "the resources" to move diplomats and other US officials around to be successful.
Analysts said that they expected Iran to try to spread its influence among the Shi'ites in Bahrain.
However, Patrick Clawson, an analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Bahrain's Shi'ite community tended to look more to local leaders than to Iran.

Well Patrick Clawson doesn't know the difference between the Bahraini Shi'a tribes and the Iranian Shi'a who most definitely ARE looking to Iran, and are always seen driving around with pictures of of this obnoxious fat c*nt in their cars:

I've just drive through Rifa'a, a mainly Sunni area, and there are two gangs of teenage Sunnis manning roadblocks to make sure Shi'a don't enter. They are tooled up with sticks and crowbars.

Waved through with a smile, and the police are staying out of the way and letting them get on with it.

Meanwhile, back where they were yesterday....

MANAMA, Mar 14, 2011 (AFP) - Pro-democracy protesters poured into Bahrain's central business district Monday as reports said Saudi forces were preparing to help the government restore order in the strategic Gulf kingdom.
The Financial Harbour business complex was blocked off by protesters a day after more than 200 people were injured there in clashes between riot police and demonstrators, residents said.
It was the worst day of violence in the tiny Gulf kingdom since seven people were killed at the start of anti-regime unrest in mid-February.
Bahrain -- home of the US Fifth Fleet -- has become a regional financial hub as it seeks to diversify its economy away from dependence on diminishing oil revenues.
Thousands of demonstrators poured into the banking district -- a symbol of wealth and privilege -- and police appeared to have deserted the area, witnesses said. An unidentified military helicopter hovered in the sky.
Opposition parliamentarian Ali al-Aswad said a government official had informed MPs that Saudi security forces had been invited into the city to help quell the unrest.
Bahrain is joined to Saudi Arabia by a causeway across the Gulf.
"A government source told us during the night that the issue is serious and a decision (to invite foreign forces) has been taken," he told AFP.
He said the opposition would resist any such intervention as a foreign invasion.
"If Gulf forces enter Bahrain the people of Bahrain will deal with them as if they were occupation forces. We won't allow any foreign interference, either regional or Arab in Bahrain," he said.

Britain's Foreign Office cited reports that the Saudi National Guard will enter Bahrain as it urged Britons to avoid all travel to the mainly Shiite archipelago, where the Sunni monarchy is under mounting pressure to reform."The risk of further outbreaks of violence has increased," it said in the note issued late Sunday.
The website of Bahrain's Alyam newspaper, which is close to the Al-Khalifa royal family, said forces from the six-state Gulf Cooperation Council were expected to enter Bahrain to help boost security.
Witnesses said Shiite-led protesters continued to hold a sit-in at Pearl Square just outside the financial district, while others were blocking the main highway leading to the business district.
Most workers seemed to be following a trade union call for a general strike to protest violence by the security forces.
Crown Prince Salman late Sunday reiterated the government's offer of national dialogue on deep-rooted reforms but not at the expense of security and stability, state news agency BNA reported.
In a major concession to the opposition demands, the prince supported the creation of a parliament with full powers and pledged to tackle corruption and sectarian tensions.
But he warned that "legitimate demands should not be carried out at the price of security and stability."
The United States condemned the violence, amid claims -- dismissed as lies by the government -- that armed pro-regime thugs are intimidating students and opposition activists.
"We urge the government of Bahrain to pursue a peaceful and meaningful dialogue with the opposition rather than resorting to the use of force," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
King Hamad also reiterated an offer of dialogue with the main opposition groups, which have refused to negotiate until the government resigns and dissidents are released from jail.
The mainstream opposition says it is not trying to overthrow the royal family but more radical Shiite elements have said they want to end the dynasty that has ruled the country for more than 200 years.
Australia also strongly advised its citizens Monday not to travel to Bahrain, "due to the unpredictable security situation and threat of terrorist attack."

And now it's official:

Troops from countries neighbouring Bahrain have arrived in the small Gulf kingdom in response to a government request, officials say.
It comes a day after the worst violence since seven anti-government protesters were killed in clashes with security forces last month.
Dozens of people were injured on Sunday as protesters pushed back police and barricaded roads.
Bahrain's opposition said the foreign troops amounted to an occupation

Biggest fucking laugh I've had in the last month:

TEHRAN (AFP) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Monday demanded that Bahraini leaders be wise and not use violence in their handling of anti-government protests, the state-run Fars news agency reported.
Salehi said the Bahraini authorities should avoid using "violence and force against the population", adding that Iran expects "the Bahraini government to be wise in responding to the demands of protesters and respecting their rights."

Give me strength. If only Hitler had got the right ones.
Added: Not the many Iranians who want to grow up, the beardy fucking twats.

If you have access to Press TV, the Iranians are going spaz, "Saudi has invaded Bahrain. America turning a blind eye", etc.

Meanwhile,

PARIS (Reuters) – The United Arab Emirates has sent about 500 police officers into Bahrain to calm protests by the Shi'ite Muslim majority, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan said on Monday.

I haven't watch this Iranian version of Pravda for a while. It's quite comical.

Ironically all of their reporters have so clearly been educated in America.

How is the airport? Any sign of expats leaving?

Well there weren't until about 10 minutes ago, but I've literally just been told martial law was declared, which might explain the sudden volley of gunshots coming from Ma'ameer, a Shi'a village near my office.

There are three big Shi'a enclaves around here, and if they all kick off then it's going to be a long night.

The protestors are apparently gathering to march on the Saudi Embassy. Really don't think that's very wise....

A Three month "State of Emergency" apparently.

Security source says a Saudi soldier shot dead by protester in Bahrain.

Skynews.

The King of Bahrain has declared a state of emergency for three months on the island following weeks of anti-government protests, state television said.
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.

The development comes a day after a Saudi-led military forces arrived to help prop up the government, which is facing pressure from the Shia majority to implement reforms.

CAIRO — A security official says a Saudi soldier who was part of the troops deployed to Bahrain to help the tiny island nation deal with the Shiite-led opposition uprising has been shot dead by a protester in the capital, Manama.

There goes the sympathy vote. Let's see if Iran starts rattling its sabres now.

Rolling news crawler at:

Bahrain Protests

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

A Three month "State of Emergency" apparently.

Any details of what this allows?

Well in my experience, "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" can be taken to mean "they will open fire if necessary", and the if necessary line has already been crossed with the killing of the Saudi soldier.

I think I'd best get out of here before nightfall.

Laters.

Take care, your posts are too good to lose.

BREAKING Video of Saudi troops attacking Bahrain protesters