MANAMA, (Reuters) – Bahrain’s king declared martial law today as his government struggled to quell an uprising by the island’s Shi’ite Muslim majority that has drawn in troops from fellow Sunni-ruled neighbour Saudi Arabia.
The three-month state of emergency will hand wholesale power to Bahrain’s security forces, which are dominated by the country’s Sunni Muslim elite, stoking sectarian tensions in one of the Gulf’s most politically volatile nations.
Disturbances continued to shake the kingdom through the day. A hospital source said two men, one Bahraini and the other Bangladeshi, were killed in clashes in the Shi’ite area of Sitra and more than 200 people were wounded in various incidents.
State television said a Bahraini policeman was also killed.
The United States, a close ally of both Bahrain and Saudi, said it was concerned about reports of growing sectarianism in the country, which is home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, and called for political dialogue to resolve the crisis.
“One thing is clear, there is no military solution to the problems in Bahrain,” said White House spokesman Tommy Vietor.
It was not clear if a curfew would be imposed or whether there would be any clampdown on media or public gathering.
“In order for the situation to return to normal we have to establish order and security and … stop the violations which have spread disturbances among the people of our dear country,” said Interior Minister Sheikh Rashed al-Khalifa.
Yesterday, more than 1,000 Saudi troops rolled into the kingdom in a long convoy of armoured vehicles at the request of Bahrain’s Sunni rulers, flashing victory signs as they crossed the causeway that connects the two oil producers. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have said they would also send police.
Thousands of Bahrainis marched on the Saudi embassy in Manama today to protest against the intervention.
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