Bahrain Arrests Opposition Leaders

Martial law has been declared in the island nation as the monarchy moves to crush opposition.

Bahrain’s ruling Sunni monarchy appears to have abandoned attempts at dialogue with leaders of the popular uprising and has rounded up opposition leaders as foreign troops patrol the streets to prevent demonstrations. Reinforcements from Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, have been called in to quell the uprising that is being led by the country’s majority Shiite population. Among those arrested Thursday were Hassan Mushaima and Abdul Jalil al-Sangaece, who were put on trial last month for trying to overthrow the government. Those charges were dropped in a bid to ease tensions, but the government has now rearrested the pair along with at least five other prominent opposition figures. At least five people were killed Wednesday when security forces attacked protesters in Manama’s Pearl Square.