World

Peninsula Shield Force: Gulf troops move in as Bahrain protests escalate

Saudi govt says it is answering a request for support; Pakistani killed by protestors.

Afp March 15, 2011

MANAMA:

Armoured troops rolled into Bahrain from neighbouring Saudi Arabia on Monday to help restore order in the strategic Gulf kingdom, where pro-democracy demonstrators have shut down the financial centre.

Thousands of protesters occupied Manama’s business district, turning the regional banking hub into a ghost town as they pressed their calls for democratic reform by the monarchy.

The Saudi government said it had responded to a call for help from its neighbour as Saudi-led forces from the Gulf countries’ joint Peninsula Shield Force crossed the causeway separating the two countries.

“The council of ministers has confirmed that it has answered a request by Bahrain for support,” the Saudi government said in a statement carried by the SPA state news agency.

It said that under an agreement of the six-country Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), “any harm done to the security of a member state is considered a harm done to the security of all members.”

The Saudi contingent is made up of 1,000 soldiers while the United Arab Emirates also confirmed it was participating in the operation.

The United Arab Emirates has sent around 500 police officers into Bahrain to calm protests, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan said on Monday. “Other Gulf countries will also participate to get calm and order in Bahrain,” Sheikh Abdullah told a news briefing ahead of a Group of Eight foreign ministers meeting in Paris. “Bahrain has asked us to look at ways to defuse the tension.”

Television footage showed convoys of unmarked, desert-brown coloured armoured vehicles crossing the causeway from Saudi’s Eastern Province into Bahrain, the home of the US Fifth Fleet.

The Shia-led opposition alliance said any foreign force would be treated as an invading army.

“We consider the arrival of any soldier, or military vehicle, into Bahraini territory... an overt occupation of the kingdom of Bahrain and a conspiracy against the unarmed people of Bahrain,” said an opposition statement.

Helicopters buzzed overhead as protesters blocked access roads to the Financial Harbour business complex, a day after more than 200 people were injured there in clashes between riot police and demonstrators.

Sunday was the worst day of violence in the tiny Gulf kingdom since seven people were killed at the start of anti-regime unrest a month ago.

Police appeared to have deserted the area, while shopping malls and office towers were closed.

Protesters persisted with a sit-in at nearby Pearl Square, where activists were readying for a showdown with the security forces.

Most workers seemed to be following a trade union call for a general strike to protest against violence by the security forces.

Meanwhile, the US warned Gulf states on Monday to respect the rights of the people of Bahrain, after troops from nations including Saudi Arabia crossed into the violence-wracked kingdom.

National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said that the White House was aware that Saudi Arabia had sent security forces to Bahrain and that other Gulf Cooperation Council nations were also planning such steps.

“We urge our GCC partners to show restraint and respect the rights of the people of Bahrain, and to act in a way that supports dialogue instead of undermining it,” Vietor said.

The Saudi intervention comes two days after US Defence Secretary Robert Gates visited Manama and urged King Hamad to undertake rapid and significant democratic reform, not just “baby steps.”

Gates told reporters after the talks that Washington was concerned that the longer the instability dragged on the more likely Iran was to try to meddle in Bahrain’s affairs.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (44)

said | 13 years ago | Reply you re wright iz if iran doesn't try to dominate the area :irak and e.a.u ilands in a close past ,more we all know that shiites have an allegiance to iran leader like irakies one so i'm with people of bahrain to decide what they have to do and reform it regime but there is a lack of confidence between the 2 parts sunnis and sahiits ...i pray we have not a same situation as libya or irak

Umar Saed | 13 years ago | Reply Bahrainis will remain Arabs anyway even after democracy !!!!!!!!!!! So why to fear ?????????? Let them have democracy its their right after all. Viva Bahrainis !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Down with dictators !!!!!!!!!!!

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Karim Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Demanding for democracy is it a crime ?????????????? People of Bahrain should decide not others for them !!!! If rulers of Bahrain are so good then people will elect them again by democratic means.

Good Human | 13 years ago | Reply why too many comments...we are Pakistanis. we cannot interfere in other country affairs. first solve problem in your country...than we can talk about others. Also the one thing is that real democracy is solution to any crisis around world. the king there stuck to his seat and here our rulers stuck to there seat...suffering only for the nation

Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply I just do not understand when people protest for rights in Egypt, in Tunisia, in Libya, in Kashmir and in Palestine we say they that they are right then why do we have double standards when it comes to Bahrain. Is this justice ?????? Are we not suppose to do justice in Islam be it of any sect ????? We call them revolutionaries and when it comes to Bahrain we say they are traitors !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IZ | 13 years ago | Reply @siad - the saudia rulers and the Iranian rulers can both go to hell. The people of Bahrain have the right to decide their own destiny.

said | 13 years ago | Reply saudia,i think,is right when it considers nuclear iran as a potential big danger, beyond the fact that there is a different vision to explain islam (shiism-sunism) ,due to what happened in irak...saudia will never `accept that bahrain fall in iran's hand too ,the same thing ,emirates which many of its ilands are occupied by iran forces scares the same for bahrain...saudia and iran now must meet to discuss about the futur of the whole region and find the best way to make the persic-arabic gulf a peacefull area ...

Syed Farrukh Hussain Shah | 13 years ago | Reply Saudies should not entered Behrain to suppress public opinion....saudies are only concerned with secterianism, as most of the behrain population in shias, and saudia is worried if shia took the government, than they will also threat their neighbouring states.......but i think instead of sending forces to behrain to use against muslim borthers, GCC should send their so called forces to palestine to save them from isreal, which is their real enemy........

said | 13 years ago | Reply iran has its sunnis ,will it let arabic army standing by sunniest part against itself ?nonsens bahrain is a part of "arab world",there are mutual and strategic interests between arabic countries...so it would be better if iran and` turkey integrate this area to make more powerfull the big islamic world

FM123 | 13 years ago | Reply Please don't give comments without knowing about the real situation in Bahrain. I am IN Bahrain and thats why I wrote about these tragic events .Most of you are getting your news from foreign media who have been giving reports based on their stereotypical view of the middle east. There have been massive rallys to support the government ( in which both shias and sunnis participated) but that wasn't shown on the media. Sunnis and Shias have lived peacefully in this place for decades. And I would like to repeat again, that the protestors DO NOT represent the whole of the shia popoluation in Bahrain. No sane person would like to destroy his/her own country in this way. You can only move forward by talking to each other and many of the demands of the protesters had already been met and the government was willing to go ahead with the talks. However , after the events of the past two days it has become clear that these people are not willing to talk. A recent report by the NY Times say that the leaders of the protesters were stopped from reaching an understanding with the government due to Iranian pressure. If anybody has trouble agreeing with me then at least read the Stratfor report. It will give you an independent view of the events.We in Bahrain don't want either saudi or iranian influence. Bahrainis can sort out their problems if they are allowed to do so but if one side is hell bent on achieving its objectives through violence then what option does the government have ? Wouldn't that lead to further polarization of the society ? Lastly , I would like to say that I expected a little regard for human life but the views of some of the people here clearly show that they don't care about these things. Nobody should condone the killing of innocent people whether they are shia or sunni.

Misty Walton | 13 years ago | Reply There is no excuse for going out and attacking ordinary South Asians. Well, I hope the protesters are ready for what will happen in Bahrain if all expats leave, take their skills, business and money with them. Who would take care of the sick and look after your children? Why should people like bank managers and data base administrators be attacked by the protesters? These are examples of people I know personally. They were out with their families when attacked. If you don't agree with your government's policies, make the case. The issues of overseas recruitment and naturalisation are already on the reform agenda. Making the case and convincing others are part of the democratic process so please try that if you really do want to live in a democratic country.

Aftab | 13 years ago | Reply I have been in the Gulf for last 40 years, i know more about this culture then any of you, this is all perpertrated by Iran, they thought they would repeat the same what they have done in Iraq by killing innocent muslims, but the forgot that in Bahrain no one will let them repeat the same wha tthey did in Iraq, there was not shia sunny problem here in the Gulf, it is all Iran who is stirring this issue up, rest assured that GCC countries will never let them do that, how can u call the protest peacefull while u kill innocent people and go to universty and ransack the universty and would around 70 muslim girls, I have a advise to shias to please for their own sack stop this new sense otherwise if trouble started in Pakistan they will be big loosers, they should have similar rights in Pakistan as sunnis has in Iran.

Rama Rao | 13 years ago | Reply I am writing this from BAHRAIN. Thanks to the Saudi Govt. First of all this is a mile stone of GCC. Proud of this unity , the action needed and taken on right time, becaz Bahraini govt gave more than one month time and asked opposite leader come to table and discuss their demand and agree most of their demand... Opposition party people 5 killed expatriate and stabbed17 expatriate... .. Also here i want hight light some thing this Forcess should be called as GCC troops instead of isolating individual country name.. MOST WELCOME...

Lala | 13 years ago | Reply @Mulla Toofhan: Again, an ignorant rant!! The problem is not with my language but your rotten mind.

Mulla Toofhan | 13 years ago | Reply @ Lala Showing your true colour. Your language is questionable, you shoulds have really gone to a good school. Maybe not in a protest but you loose more life in Pakistan then Iran or Saudi Arabia.

najam chaudhry | 13 years ago | Reply @ShiaPak: sir !!!! what about protests in iran..... where are the president opponents, in JAIL, isnt it? so there is no oppression in bahrain , it is most modern country in guf, all saudi princes ans princess head for it on there holidays. and the thing is that, wali ehd prince has called meeting with everyone and almost all there demands were agreed upon. now what you what more. if you just what the "khalifa family" out because they are SUNNIs than they will get the support from anti-shia friends and try to beat those thugs who are there on the roads without any demands....

Lala | 13 years ago | Reply @Mulla Toofhan: Don't be an ignorant fool!! The civilian Pakistanis were never part of any protest, they were people going around their daily business like getting food stuff etc. Get your facts from the people on the ground (I have many friends there) and then start talking.

H Q | 13 years ago | Reply @ ShiaPak: Zardari is a Shia my friend, and so are many of the ruling elites of the PPP & MQM. You should be glad that the Sunnis in Pakistan haven't taken the fate of Shias in their hands, or trust me, Shias would've been extinct from Pakistan by now... This is a very delicate issue, so let's not drag the "Shia-Sunni" conflict into this at all. Saudis and the Gulf states are out there to support Bahrain's Govt. in order to keep Iran's influence confined outside the Gulf region. There is nothing wrong with that. Claiming that "Wahabis" are going after the Shias is a call that ideally should come from Iran. This is not a logical statement but a political one. 3 months ago, an Irani vessel was caught in the Arabian sea, which was carrying weapons to Bahrain. Apparently Iran had this planned. To overthrow the Sunni Govt. in Bahrain with the support of the Shia majority. the Gulf countries are only reacting to the actions of Iran. They have every right to do so.

Mulla Toofhan | 13 years ago | Reply The new World order is in Progress in the Middle East. These Arab rulers have had no love for their people but for power and perto dollars, Now that the common Arabs are seeking freedom and liberty from these Tyrants, These Tyrants are trying to create a difference between different faction of Islam. Saudi Arabia by sending its troops to t protect its influence and power as they are well aware that may well be next. @FM. What were the Pakistani doing in the protest unless they were part of it. @Lala. How many protest in Pakistan have been peaceful. Last I heard 13 killed in Karachi, and Iran unlike Saudi Arabia is not sending its troops to Bharain and these people are not going to shoot flowers at the unarmed protesters. Take the lesson from Egypt and Tunisia and Libya to follow soon. Long live Peoples Power.

Mark | 13 years ago | Reply Protesters fall prey to vested interests ... http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=301812

Joni italas | 13 years ago | Reply All Pakistani's living in GCC specially in Bahrain are beggars . So it's better to kick them out to keep the country clean.

Peter | 13 years ago | Reply I am sitting at home in Bahrain, held hostage by the peaceful protesters. However, I am lucky compared with the South Asians who have been murdered and attacked by them over the past 3 days. They are having their possessions stolen and being told to leave. It looks like ethnic cleansing is next. Where are the international media now and who is going to protect these people? The Bahraini government has its hands tied as it dare not harm the peaceful protesters in anyway, meanwhile a number of them are terrorizing the South Asians who live here. I am protected by my white skin as the peaceful protesters are well aware that lynching white people would quickly change their media profile! What about the human rights of the South Asian workers? Does anyone out there care about them?

ali | 13 years ago | Reply it's foreign intervention , these forces should inter if any nation of GCC attack by foreign forces , it's seem to be occupied of bahrain ! it should UN and US help the protesters to get democracy and freedom ..

ShiaPak | 13 years ago | Reply As a pakistani Shia my heart boils when i see sunnis suppressing shias. What is wrong in demanding free and fair elections in all of gulf countries? If Shia wins they rule and if Sunni wins then they rule. Isn't it the right thing. Pakistanis whether they are Sunni or Shia should support Shias in Bahrain. If Shia was ruling pakistan without elections wouldn't the Sunnis protest just like Shias are in Bahrain? Common sense I think which sunnis lack.

FM123 | 13 years ago | Reply http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/20110314-iran-saudis-countermove-bahrain?utmsource=redalert&utmmedium=email&utmcampaign=110314%281%29&utmcontent=readmore&elq=13b7c87adfd04befb94e4477ced80dac

John Brian Shannon | 13 years ago | Reply No doubt, some of the protesters are hooligans - and never wanted a just solution to Bahrain's problems - or perceived problems. These are the 'rebels without a cause' who are compelled to tear apart societies anywhere in the world, because they didn't get to be President - or some other reason that has set them off on a nihilistic path. In the West, we have many names for them, some quite suitable; Desperados, Hooligans, Hillbilly's, Rent a Crowd, Rent a Riot, the 'Fringe Element', assorted crazy persons, and so on. They are citizens too, it's just that they can't get along with anyone, anywhere, without some kind of fight. Most often they are very poorly educated people, many have suffered much abuse as youngsters and often have developed drug or alcohol addictions. If they had been educated and cared-for properly as they grew toward adulthood, they would not have ever considered taking part in demonstrations or riots - not to mention getting hooked on drugs or alcohol. This is the most important thing. They weren't raised properly - and so are angry at the world - permanently. Their only hope is protesting against any government, anywhere, to help them to feel they are changing their world. Some travel hundreds or thousands of miles to protest en-masse anywhere there is a demonstration. Some haven't the slightest idea what they are protesting, but they know they are 'changing the world' and they find many other people there - just like them! That convinces them, that 'THEY ARE RIGHT' (to be there protesting). Many travel to different countries to protest, forming part of the 'Rent-A-Crowd' group. We see the same faces on TV again and again - no matter 'The Cause' they are demonstrating for. I feel for them. Many DO change their lives for the better after getting fed-up with the antics going on around them and find jobs, raise a family and contribute to society. People in their 20's are very prone to losing 5 or 10 years of their lives before 'finding themselves' - usually after a close call with death or after some prison time. It's a terrible waste. If the government had spent only a few thousand extra dollars on them when they were young and not receiving all the things that a young mind requires, it would have saved the government hundreds of thousands of dollars per person!!! Not to mention all the heartache these people live with every day - for decades, because no one cared enough. Policing costs, crowd control costs, riot squads, damages to businesses, innocent passers-by injured (sometimes horribly), hundreds of smashed cars - all these things cost the government and citizens tens of millions of dollars every year - even in a well-run country like Canada. In Canada, once the protesters have had 'their full say' the police inform them that the demonstration is over, "Time to go home now" and either they pack up and head for the next demonstration, or they go home to phone all the new friends they made at the rally! And with them, plan even more protests - which enable them to see their new friends more often. More protests to attend - means more 'friend time' so the more protests around the country, the more times they get to see their friends. And make more friends! It is easy to tell the sincere protesters from the 'party-till-you-drop' crowd. In Bahrain, the Crown Prince has acted quickly from the start, first meeting with the opposition leaders, bringing in key reforms, toning down the security response and meeting the media. All the sincere protesters went back home at that point - while the nihilist's became even more demanding. Unreasonably so. They are not quite ready for the party to be over. They want to make more friends first - and do it all again NEXT YEAR! YEAH! PARTY ON NEXT YEAR! WHOOOOOO HOOO!!! Which is all just fine, except the majority of people just want to get back to their normal lives and so do the sincere protesters who went home as soon as they saw some progress - as the government DID take their concerns quite seriously and brought forward many new reforms for citizens. Bahrain's Government is right to ask for GCC assistance. The party is over and it is time for people to return to their homes and jobs. The protesters made their point and the government IS reacting positively. That is what they wanted, isn't it? Well, is it - or isn't it? If it isn't - then they are enemies of the state. If it is, then they are regular citizens making their point to the government. Here in Canada, the sincere and well-intentioned protesters receive very light (if any) punishment from police and the court system. It's our way here and that's how we like it done. Hooligans, however, usually do a little prison time. May God's light illuminate your path. John Brian Shannon

Sajid | 13 years ago | Reply @Lala: what can i say about these Muslims who like US and hate Iran...the only state who is standing against evil... Regarding Pakistanis, i don't think any nation in entire world like us....neither saudi nor any one else.

Sajid | 13 years ago | Reply @Lala: i think you need to watch news channels as well (BBC etc)...

Ashutosh | 13 years ago | Reply @Faizan: Yell "CONSPIRACY !!" to any of the problem you are faced. This way you can excuse yourselves for not doing anything ! And follow the path of lease resistance fro your life and you the life of the generation next ! Lazy and unpatriotic people !

FM123 | 13 years ago | Reply @ Sajid why laborers ? I know what you are trying to say and I also can understand WHY you are saying this, Pakistanis serving in the security forces are doing their JOB..by these standards, the Taliban are also justified to kill the Pakistan soldiers , arent they ? And let me explain what that JOB means ... facing the protestors with out anything to protect themselves , if you want any proof watch the videos on youtube regarding sunday's events. The job of the policemen is to maintain law and order and thats what they are trying to do. And by the way , there are enough shias here who oppose all this violence. Its a political issue ,don't make it a religious one. And for me , the lives of those those killed matter more than anybody's religious affiliations. Sunni bahrainis havent been targeted because the protestors know that it will harm their cause.So its easy to target an expatriate ( by the way ..for your information , laborers from other south asian countries have also been injured in these attacks) as they know that the government of these countries will not be forceful enough in asking for justice. And please stop trying to justify the killing of a Pakistani . If you are going to say this then what can we expect from the rest of the world . One can only imagine what would have happened if an american had been killed in such a brutal way.

Lala | 13 years ago | Reply It is Iran helping these disloyal people in Bahrain. Bahrain has done a lot for its people but these so called "peaceful protesters" want Iran to govern over Bahrain and Iran pays them a lot. Not all Shia of Bahrain are against the government. These protesters have different agenda but they show something else to the media.

Sunny | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan must stay away from this fire as it already have enough on its plate. Do not let Pakistan and its citizens sink with Saudies. Pakistan should not repeat mistakes it made in Afghanistan but only align itself with the people and not the crumbling rulers. Money is not everything, Pak Army must avoid dollars this time, as we are already blamed by the USA that we Pakistanies sell our mothers for money.

Lala | 13 years ago | Reply @Sajid: They are not a few people standing against their rulers. They are killing innocent civilian Pakistanis and attacking their homes in Bahrain. Please don't start judging by reading the news, talk to someone there. The protesters are anything but peaceful, so try to get some sense!!

Sajid | 13 years ago | Reply @FM123: why pakistanis? they should have done something which cause this mess...

FM123 | 13 years ago | Reply Frankly speaking people , its easy to sit on the internet and pass comments ,at least be humanistic and forget your religious affiliations for a while, Innocent Pakistani laborers were killed in Sunday nights violence and these monsters are still targeting unarmed poor people on the streets of Manama. As usual , the Pakistan government will do nothing to ensure that those have done this will be held accountable. In the past few years , there have been two Pakistanis killed and several injured but nothing was done , the culprits were caught but no one was punished. The GCC forces ( not saudi or wahabi) were called in to maintain law and order but so far nothing has been done practically to prevent the loss of further lives. Pakistani and Asian families are still stranded in their homes in Manama . Asking for your rights is one thing , killing unarmed innocent people is another. As far as the Iranian influence is concerned , they do have considerable influence over the shia clerics in Bahrain and the government has been practically REQUESTING a dialogue for the past one month while these so called protesters have been spreading chaos on the streets. One of their key demands is to throw out all Pakistanis. Besides the 500,000 there are are approx . 700-900,000 expats living in Bahrain who have played a vital part in the development of this country. On the other hand , the people spreading violence are the ones who have got all the basic necessities of life and yet they are not satisfied . Bahrain is a country with limited oil resources and the relies mainly on the services sector plus help from the GCC countries. The international media has been very one sided in its view of things. I wish people could come here themselves and see what is happening. I agree with Faizan's comments. All this is not happening suddenly as a part of some revolutionary struggle all over the middle ease. The planning for the uprising in Egypt was not entirely indigenous . The Americans knew beforehand about all this and certainly had contacts with the youth leaders.

Aristo | 13 years ago | Reply Bahrain, looks like another Pakistan in the making, where Shia and Wahhabi forces will confront each other on the streets. Does any body remember what Anaconda Rice stated in 2006, Middle-East borders will be redrawn on the basis of Shia - Sunni divide. Only a fool can beleive it is an indigenous movement for democracy.

Faizan | 13 years ago | Reply Dont go here and there, just think why suddenly the protests and infighting started only in the Oil-rich countries???? Just think it over here, that up to last year there was nothing like that but suddenly this things erupted only in oil-rich countries, can you people think it over please? It is the game of Wikileak, and a planned game to protect Israel and to have control on the oil wealth by the West.

Sajid | 13 years ago | Reply @A.ghaffar dawood: its better to be under USA then Iran right:) sick

Sajid | 13 years ago | Reply @Aftab Kenneth Wilson: According to GCC constitution they can help each other when some one attacked from out side( a third party). This intervention simply shows the the mentality of Saudi wahabi against shia's & how brutal they're to send such huge army against few people who don't have any weapons except the courage to stand against ruler.

A.ghaffar dawood | 13 years ago | Reply To combat Iranian influence it is the only thing Behrin can do.the dreams of Iranian expansion and total impotency of Arab states DESrves the take over by the mighty Iran.Arabs must wake up now.

adeel irfan | 13 years ago | Reply Great,another sectarian war where the wahabi fanatics try to battle with the shia fanatics & the world gets to see more bloodshed due to islamic fundamentalism. This will have repercussions in pakistan also ,as both saudia & iran have funded their proxies in pakistan who have formed terrorist organisations with the money received from saudia & iran.

Aftab Kenneth Wilson | 13 years ago | Reply It is all according to the GCC constitution so no need for any type of hue and cry for those who simply come up to comment without knowing the fabric of that areas and their style of living due to the relationships of "Blue Blood". Gulf countries are not oppressed by their rulers. They do take care at all levels provided one deserves accordingly. If one is qualified for a certain job, he or she will get it or else it will go to either any deserving person from Arab countries or from any other country. All 6 GCC are closely knitted and would never allow any outside interference from anyone who has nothing to do with GCC. Both Shia and Sunni are living together from centuries in a very peaceful manner. All what we are witnessing is only from those elements who want to break this relationships for their own ulterior motives.

IZ | 13 years ago | Reply The Al-Khalifa regime "requested" Saudi "intervention" just like the Afghan communist government "requested" Soviet "intervention" in Afghanistan in 1979. Looks like the Saudis have learned something from Qaddafi in Libya.

Razi | 13 years ago | Reply yahoodis almaroof saudis

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