As Violence Spreads in Bahrain, Ambassador Breaks Silence

By Sarah Breger

Disheartening news from Bahrain this weekend, as clashes between armed forces and anti-government protesters left 800 wounded. Yesterday, demonstrators blocked roads to Manama’s financial center and around the city’s university. Police used tear gas, batons and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, according to witnesses.  Bahrain’s ambassador to the U.S. Houda Nonoo released a statement—among her first since the protests erupted last month—saying protesters attacked police with Molotov cocktails and sharp utensils, injuring many policeman.  On Friday, Nonoo gave her first public statement since the protests began. She said law enforcement has dealt in an  “appropriate manner” with the situation  and that their self-discipline “ensured that there was no serious impact on the social fabric of Bahrain from a large-scale sectarian confrontation”

The clashes over the weekend have been the worst outbreak of violence since seven protesters were killed nearly three weeks ago. This morning 1,000 Saudi troops crossed the causeway connecting the two countries into Bahrain to support the Sunni monarchy, which only further enraged the mostly Shiite protesters.

Moment explores these sectarian tensions in its profile of Houda Nonoo, “The Unlikely Emissary.” For the complete article click here.