CRISISBOOM

MANAMA—Riot police stormed a square occupied by anti-government protesters Thursday, driving them out with tear gas and rubber bullets and destroying a makeshift encampment that had become the demonstrators’ rallying point.

At least two people were killed in the pre-dawn assault on Pearl Square, the main opposition group Al Wefaq said. There was no official word on deaths or injuries.

After riot police regained control of the plaza, they chased protesters through sidestreets just as the dawn call for prayers rang out.

Protesters described police swarming in through a cloud of tear gas.

“They attacked our tents, beating us with batons,” Jafar Jafar, 17, told Associated Press. “The police were Read more…