Shi'ite-led riots have erupted throughout Bahrain in late August amid a
boycott of planned elections and national reconciliation. Officials said the
Shi'ites were organized through the use of social media and clashed with
Bahraini security forces.
"The rioting spread throughout almost every town and village in the
country," an official said.
Also In This Edition
The riots on Aug. 18 were said to have been the worst since Bahrain
quelled the Shi'ite revolt in June with the help of the militaries of
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi troops were said to
remain deployed in Bahrain.
The Bahraini Interior Ministry said the riots were organized by
agitators who blocked roads and hurled stones and metal rods toward police, Middle East Newsline reported.
In some cases, the rioters were said to have used women as shields to
escape.
In all, six police officers were reported injured and several security
forces jeeps were damaged. Civilian injuries were not reported.
Security sources said the police were hampered by the lack of
night-vision goggles. They acknowledged that police patrols were repeatedly
ambushed by squads that emerged from the dark, hurled blocks at the police
cars and retreated.
"They attack us and hide again," a security source said.