Rioting in Bahrain - New Year's Eve

[newswatcher]

Just caught up with this story, whatever next!

Apparently some 2,000 "rioters", mostly young, went on the rampage in the Exhibition Avenue area of Manama, as a result of which some 130 cars were attacked. Bahrain papers say 95 cars were burnt out, UAE Gulf News says 2!

Also damage caused to restaurants, including Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, and up to seven hotels in the area.

King Hamad has apparently had to apologise to King Fahad, since many of the damaged cars belonged to Saudi's visiting across the causeway.

Looks like there was a certain anti-US element involved, but was that all? Were the rioters drunk? Can't remember seeing anything in the UK news at the time.

Also followed by a "Death to Israel, death to America" march on 3/1.

Anyone there like to give a "true" view on events?

[CaptSnails]

Ahh the marvels of democracy. These people who organized this (and I'm not talking about the 13year old kids braking cars) are trying to pressure the government because they have a vision of Bahrain becoming like Saudi Arabia.

[TAF Oscar]

I've heard all sorts of stories, from the official "government" line that it was organised by opponents of the democratic process to locals who tell me that it was frustration at having been beaten in the Arab Cup Final by Saudi the day before, which is why KSA cars were targetted. Whichever, it does appear to have been organised and not just some spontaneous drunken rampage. We were at a New Year party (organised by an American) at the other end of Exhibition Avenue and didn't hear a thing, and the party wasn't that noisy! I would say that the number of burned out cars was nearer 2 than 95, and the damage to buildings seems to have been pretty superficial. The shock is worse because it is so unexpected here.

The marches last weekend were very peaceful, delayed traffic by the Seef roundabout for a while but we drove through with no aggro. This weekend there are marches planned to protest about the New Year rioting...

There is an apparent trend of increasing crime and violence, but it is still far safer then anywhere I have been in Europe or the Far East. As a Western expat here I have to say that we have never been treated with anything but respect and friendliness, absolutely no hostility whatsoever, quite the opposite (just last night I had dinner at home with a Bahraini family). This has not changed after New Year, even in the light of Dubbya getting ready to set off fireworks just up the road.

Of course we are not American, but how would they know that just by looking? (apart from the fact that we don't wear loud trousers, say "y'all" a lot and refer to anywhere outside North America as "the rest of the world":D).