Syria: Protesters shot by security forces

March 25th, 2011

Security forces opened fire on protesters in the southern city of Daraa on Wednesday, killing at least 25 demonstrators. While activists claimed that many more had been killed, hospital sources reported 25 bodies with bullet wounds. Security forces have come down hard on recent demonstrations, with at least 32 protesters having been killed since Friday 18 March.

Bahrain: Security forces crackdown on protesters

March 16th, 2011

A day after martial law was declared in the kingdom, Bahraini security forces have carried out a crackdown on protesters camped out at Pearl Square in the capital Manama. Security forces, backed by tanks, drove out the protesters from their camps in violent clashes which resulted in the deaths of at least three protesters and three policemen. Security forces have also reportedly surrounded the Salmaniya hospital and are refusing entry to wounded protesters.

Yemen: Protesters killed in clashes with security forces

March 14th, 2011

Security forces reportedly used tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse anti-government protesters in the capital Sana’a over the weekend. Six protesters died in the clashes while up to a hundred were left injured.

Four demonstrators killed in Ivory Coast

March 10th, 2011

Security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Abidjan on Tuesday, killing four people. They were protesting against the deaths of seven female protesters and marking International Women’s Day. Ivory Coast has seen an increase in violence recently, with a rising number of attacks on journalists and media organisations.

Oman: Six protesters killed in clashes with police

February 28th, 2011

Pro-reform demonstrators in the industrial town of Sohar have clashed with police, leading to the deaths of six protesters. The protesters, demanding political and economic reforms, had blocked roads, attacked government buildings, and tried to free detainees from the town’s police station.

Yemen: Two demonstrators killed in clashes

February 24th, 2011

Two protesters were killed on Tuesday in a clash between pro-government demonstrators and anti-government demonstrators in the capital San’a. The shooting also left 10 protesters wounded. Seven government parliamentarians have resigned from their party in response to the violence directed towards the protesters.

Libya: Hundreds dead in clashes between protesters and security forces

February 21st, 2011

Clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces over the past few days have left at least 200 dead and many more wounded. The government has reacted strongly against demonstrators, with reports of gunfire and restricted hospital supplies. In a televised address Muammar Gaddafi’s son and heir apparent, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi termed the demonstrators “seditious elements,” warning that Libya faced a civil war. “We will take up arms, we will fight to the last bullet,” he said. Restrictions on local and international media make it difficult to build an accurate picture of the demonstrations and to independently verify casualty numbers.