Firebomb attack injures policeman in Bahrain
One police officer injured after his patrol vehicle attacked by firebombs, according to Bahrain’s interior ministry.
Authorities in Bahrain say a policeman has been injured after his patrol car was gutted in a firebomb attack during a wave of unrest across the country.
The clashes and violence came less than a week after Bahrain’s parliament set out tougher measures against so-called “terrorists” in the 30-month uprisings by majority Shias, seeking a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
The new steps include giving authorities greater ability to strip citizenship from people convicted of violence.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said on Sunday that a policeman was injured after a group attacked the patrol car with homemade firebombs.
Earlier, it said gas canisters exploded under a car near a public park. No injuries were reported.
Bahraini officials also moved on Sunday to close websites believed linked to the uprising.
Authorities have crushed large-scale popular demonstrations on the island, which is home to the US Fifth Fleet and sits between top oil exporter Saudi Arabia and Washington’s main regional antagonist Iran, but small clashes and protests erupt almost daily.
The main Shia opposition party Al Wefaq condemned Saturday’s attack.
“The Wefaq policy is based on peaceful methods,” Al Wefaq official Khalil-al Marzouk said.
National reconciliation talks between the government and opposition parties have made little progress since they began in February.