Bahrain: Breathing in the dark
The village of Sanabis, located on the outskirts of Manama, has become a battleground against government forces.
Published On 28 Sep 2011
Read “48 hours in Sanabis,” Matthew Cassel’s report on Bahrain’s protests, by clicking here.
Anti-government graffiti covers the walls in Sanabis. It’s often removed by security forces, and painted on again by activists |
Protesters are becoming more organised and using items like light-bulbs filled with paint to throw at police SUVs to block their vision |
Protesters carry the Bahraini flag in the streets, and often must deal with tear gas, rubber bullets and bird shot |
Women chant against the al-Khalifa royal family, calling for reforms and for an end to dynastic rule |
Soon after protests on September 23, police forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets and bird shot that sent protesters running for cover |
To protect themselves from police weapons, activists designed their own shields to use in protests |
Dozens of police march through the streets in Sanabis, searching for protesters and launching tear gas onto roofs and into houses |
Witnesses said that police chased protesters inside a home where they sought shelter. The police threw sound grenades into a kitchen, which set off a fire inside the home that caused third degree burns to a number of the protesters |
Family members cry as they watch their home go up in flames after a hot tear gas canister was shot into their house |
A protester who had been hiding in a house to escape pursuing police is treated in a makeshift clinic for serious burns on his legs |
Tear gas was inescapable in Sanabis, and people were brought to a makeshift clinic to receive treatment |
At night, protesters go on the lookout so they can warn those on the street when police are approaching |
Protesters stayed in the street throughout the night |
Tear gas indiscriminately fired entered numerous homes in Sanabis. After inhaling tear gas and vomiting all over the floor, children stand off to the side while their mothers clean up and work to get the gas out of the home |
A tear gas grenade used against protesters in Sanabis – made in USA |
Follow Matthew Cassel on Twitter: @justimage
Source: Al Jazeera