Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalif announced that “a foreign plot” against the small Gulf state has been foiled, while opposition leaders charged that Washington had given the regime a “green light” for repression.
Tanks were deployed in the Yemeni capital, surrounding the presidential palace and defense ministry, as top generals and tribal leaders pledged allegiance to the “revolution” against President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Yemen declared a state of emergency as Syrian security forces again fired on demonstrators, killing at least one. Thousands meanwhile marched for democratic reform in Casablanca, Rabat and other cities across Morocco.
At least five were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in the Syrian city of Deraa. Protests are also reported from Homs and Baniyas, and security forces reportedly broke up a demonstration in Damascus.
A massacre is reported from Yemen, as armed regime loyalists opened fire on protesters in a square they have been occupying at Sanaa University, killing at least 32 and leaving some 200 wounded.
Some 200 Syrians defied a state emergency in place since 1963 to gather in Damascus to demand a political opening, chanting “God, Syria, liberty” and “Syrians, where are you?”
Hundreds of riot police backed up by tanks, bulldozers and helicopters killed at least two and wounded dozens more as they cleared a protest camp in Bahrain’s Pearl Square.
Saudi Arabia sent 1,000 troops into neighboring Bahrain to put down protesters that have occupied Manama’s financial center, as a White House spokesman said “This is not an invasion.”
Two protesters were shot by police in Aden, as disturbing reports emerged from Sanaa of protesters passing out and going into convulsions after inhaling gas fired by police.
Following a day of clashes between police and protesters, Saudi Arabia is preparing to send troops to neighboring Bahrain in response to a request from crown prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa.
Three were killed as security forces broke up a 100,000-strong sit-in to demand the ouster of Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh. A 14-year-old boy was also killed by police in the port of Mukalla.
Police in Bahrain fired tear gas as anti-government protesters clashed with regime loyalists. Meanwhile, police flooded the streets to suppress “Day of Rage” protests in Saudi Arabia.
