Bahrain

Bahrain cracks down on dissent across sectarian divide

By Jean Shaoul, 2 July 2016

Since the 2011 demonstrations, there have been almost daily skirmishes between Shiite youths and security forces, as well as several bomb attacks.

Opposition leader arrested as social tensions rise in Bahrain

By Rosa Shahnazarian, 24 September 2013

Khalil al-Marzouq, Assistant Secretary General of the Shia opposition association al-Wefaq, was taken into custody on September 17.

Bahrain gripped by renewed protests

By Jean Shaoul, 19 August 2013

It is no coincidence that the extraordinary measures taken by the Bahraini regime against protest demonstrations occurred at the same time as the massacre carried out by the military junta in Egypt.

Teenager shot dead in Bahrain protest against US-backed monarchy

By Bill Van Auken, 15 February 2013

A 16-year-old boy was shot dead while scores of other people were wounded and arrested in mass protests Thursday against the Bahraini regime.

US-backed Bahrain regime upholds jail sentences for doctors and nurses

By Will Morrow, 28 June 2012

The medics were arrested during a wave of repression in March 2011 and sentenced to up to fifteen years in prison after they treated protesters wounded by security forces.

Demonstrator shot dead ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix

By Jean Shaoul, 23 April 2012

Bahrain security forces shot dead an anti-government demonstrator, Salah Abbas Habib Musa, after angry clashes with the police on Friday night.

Mass protests in Bahrain in advance of Grand Prix auto race

By David Walsh, 21 April 2012

In advance of Sunday’s Grand Prix, tens of thousands of protesters took to a major highway in Bahrain Friday to demand democratic rights and called for the downfall of the country’s autocratic regime.

Syria and Bahrain

By Bill Van Auken, 18 April 2012

While the US and its allies declare the ceasefire in Syria a failure and invoke human rights and democracy to justify stepped up intervention, these same powers turn a blind eye to the escalating crackdown in Bahrain.

Massive anti-government protest in Bahrain

By Tom Eley, 10 March 2012

On Friday, tens of thousands demonstrated against the monarchist regime in Bahrain, a key US ally in the Middle East.

US-backed Bahraini regime continues repression

By Niall Green, 18 February 2012

The crackdown on protests in Bahrain continued this week, with repeated police attacks on working class neighborhoods and protests.

US-backed regime crushes protest in Bahrain

By Bill Van Auken, 15 February 2012

In the midst of drumming up support for a “Friends of Syria” gathering next week, the US government lent its backing to the brutal suppression of a mass demonstration against the dictatorial monarchy that rules Bahrain.

US sells arms to Bahraini dictatorship as repression continues

By Niall Green, 3 October 2011

The Pentagon will provide the dictatorship in Bahrain with an additional $53 million worth of weapons.

Protests continue against US-backed Bahraini dictatorship

By Niall Green, 5 September 2011

Repression continues six months after the US-backed regime in Bahrain brutally suppressed a mass uprising of workers.

Journalist Robert Fisk faces libel action for pointing out Bahrain-Saudi alliance

By Jean Shaoul, 27 June 2011

On June 14, Bahrain, the tiny island kingdom in the Persian Gulf off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, announced that it is to sue the Independent newspaper for libel over an article written by its veteran Middle East correspondent, Robert Fisk.

Bahrain: Show trial sentences critics of regime

By Niall Green, 23 June 2011

A military court in the US-allied monarchy of Bahrain has handed down lengthy prison sentences to 21 people involved in anti-government protests earlier this year.

US-backed Bahrain regime stages military trial of doctors and nurses

By Bill Van Auken, 15 June 2011

The US-backed dictatorship in Bahrain proceeded this week with the military trial of 47 doctors and nurses rounded up during mass protests last March.

Amid savage crackdown on protest, Obama welcomes Bahrain prince

By David Walsh, 10 June 2011

Bahrain’s crown prince, Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, visited Washington this week and met with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Bahrain tries 21 activists on trumped-up charges

By Niall Green, 11 May 2011

The US-backed Bahraini dictatorship has begun kangaroo court proceedings against 21 people involved in the recent anti-government protests.

Bahraini military court sentences four protesters to die

By David Walsh, 30 April 2011

A Bahraini military court Thursday condemned four young anti-government protesters to death at the conclusion of a shameless frame-up trial. Three others were sentenced to life in prison.

US State Department human rights reports

Gulf allies: A record of repression and torture

Part 3: Bahrain

By Ed Hightower, 25 April 2011

The US State Department recently released its “2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.” This year’s annual report provides details on human rights conditions in over 190 countries. Included are reports on the member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which represents the US-backed monarchies of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

Human rights groups condemn repression in Bahrain

By Niall Green, 25 April 2011

Physicians for Human Rights issued a declaration on Friday condemning the abuse and intimidation of protesters and medical workers in the Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain.

Bahraini regime pursues savage repression

By David Walsh, 21 April 2011

The regime of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Bahrain is continuing its reign of terror against political opponents. According to human rights organizations, nearly 1,000 people have been arrested or are missing.

US-backed Bahrain regime tortures, murders critics

By David Walsh, 13 April 2011

The regime of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Bahrain, which the Obama administration backs to the hilt, is continuing its violent repression of political opposition.

Protests, repression continue in Bahrain and Yemen

By Niall Green, 4 April 2011

Even as Washington and the European powers bomb Libya on supposed “humanitarian” grounds, the US-backed regimes in Yemen and Bahrain are continuing their brutal crackdown on protesters.

Strikes and protests in Bahrain defy regime crackdown

By Niall Green, 21 March 2011

A strike wave is growing and demonstrations continue in Bahrain, despite brutal attempts by the regime to put down the uprising.

US ally Bahrain orders bloody crackdown on protesters

By Tom Eley, 18 March 2011

On Wednesday the government of Bahrain assaulted peaceful demonstrators in Pearl Square and arrested at least a dozen opposition politicians the following day.

Bahrain declares state of emergency

By Niall Green, 16 March 2011

The king of Bahrain, backed by forces from Saudi Arabia, declared a state of emergency on Tuesday as huge crowds of anti-government protesters thronged the streets of Manama.

Bahrain: Gulf states intervene against mass protests

By Niall Green, 15 March 2011

The military intervention of Saudi Arabia into Bahrain is aimed at putting down the mass protests there and intimidating opposition at home. Behind the actions of the Saudis, US imperialism is working to ensure its economic and strategic interests are maintained.

Bahrain protests demand political change

By Niall Green, 1 March 2011

Anti-government protests are continuing in the Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain. Demonstrators blockaded the National Assembly, Bahrain’s rubber-stamp parliament, on Monday. Crowds of thousands are still occupying Pearl Square, the focus for demonstrators in the capital city, Manama.

Mass protests continue in Bahrain

By Niall Green, 24 February 2011

Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators took to the streets of Bahrain’s capital, Manama, this week. Defying government demands to end protests, amid vicious police attacks on crowds last week that left an estimated eight people dead and hundreds more wounded, crowds called for the fall of the regime and justice for slain protestors.

Lethal crackdown in Bahrain is “Made in the US”

Further unrest in Yemen

By David Walsh, 18 February 2011

A savage attack by police on peaceful, sleeping demonstrators in the center of Bahrain’s capital Manama early Thursday morning left at least six dead, dozens wounded and 60 missing.

Protests continue in Bahrain and Yemen

By Andrea Peters, 16 February 2011

Anti-government protests are ongoing in Bahrain and Yemen, despite violence from riot police and regime supporters.

Mass protests spread in Middle East as Washington reassures Israel, Arab dictators

By Bill Van Auken, 15 February 2011

Inspired by the Egyptian people’s overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, protests continued to spread in the Middle East on Monday, as Washington scrambled to reassure Israel and pro-US regimes in the region of its continued support.