Thousands of anti-government protesters burned tires and threw firebombs and stones at riot police in Bahrain on the second anniversary of the intervention by a Saudi-led force which helped crush a pro-democracy uprising in the Gulf island.<\/p>\n
The clashes on Thursday were the worst in several weeks and served a reminder that elements of the opposition have yet to buy into slow-moving talks with government officials.<\/p>\n
Police fired stun grenades at the demonstrators during the clashes in the mainly Shia neighbourhoods surrounding the capital, Manama.<\/p>\n
Starting early in the morning, the mostly young demonstrators blocked roads leading into scores of Shia villages to prevent security forces from entering.<\/p>\n
Bahrain’s Shia majority has been seeking a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, which is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.<\/p>\n
‘Systematic policy’<\/p>\n
The main Shia opposition group, Al Wefaq, said 35 protesters were wounded in the clashes, including three critically, in what it called a “systematic policy carried out under high, official orders to use violence against peaceful pro-democracy protesters”.<\/p>\n
It also accused police of using live ammunition and bird shot against some protesters.<\/p>\n
“This is an unforgettable day,” said Maki Ali, an 18-year-old demonstrator from Bilad Al Qadeem, west of the capital, Manama.<\/p>\n
“I remember well how the Saudis with United Arab Emirates intervened in my country’s internal affairs. They supported the government killing.”<\/p>\n