and other news from the Arab uprisings:
Bahrain
Bahrain security forces ‘tortured patients’
Bahrain’s security forces stole ambulances and posed as medics to round up injured protesters during a ferocious crackdown on unarmed demonstrators calling for reform of the monarchy, an investigation by a rights group reveals today.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/bahrain-security-forces-tortured-patients-2272618.html
American Physicians Protest Bahrain Crackdown on Medical Staff
An American human rights group said on Friday that the number of physicians missing in Bahrain has risen to more than 30.
http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=4bff7ca260230421b83a60033211804a
Physicians for Human Rights, “Bahrain, Free the Docs! Bahraini Government Continues to Abduct Physicians”
According to reports from Bahrain, doctors are disappearing as part of a systematic attack on medical staff. Many physicians are missing following interrogations by unknown security forces at Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama. Although families have tried to contact administration officials, the administration denies any knowledge of their whereabouts. According to family members, the physicians are being held incommunicado in unknown locations. . . . Click here to tell Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa that Bahrain needs to free all healthcare workers who have been illegally arrested or detained.
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/php210411.html
Bahrain Rights TV, “Arrested in Bahrain” (Video)
Among the arrested are human rights activist Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, Wa’ad Secretary General Ebrahim Sharif, Haq Secretary General Hassan Mushaima.
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/bahrain210411.html
In Bahrain, first, they came for the athletes
The counter-revolution is being televised, with witch trials played out on Bahrani talkshows. On April 4, Bahrain state television ran a chatshow segment in which prosecutor-journalists grilled Ala’a Hubail, a member of the national football team and winner of the 2004 Golden Boot. This public interrogation and shaming was a result of his repeated appearances at demonstrations during the Bahraini uprising which began on February 14. The next day Hubail – a trained paramedic who reportedly worked as a medic at demonstrations – and his brother Mohamed (also a member of the national football team) were detained by the authorities and have remained in custody since.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/apr/22/bahrain-counter-revolution-televised-athletes
Free Ebrahim Sharif Campaign, “Free Ebrahim Sharif, a Political Prisoner in Bahrain”
Ebrahim Sharif is a 53-year-old Bahraini politician, businessman, husband, father — and now, a political prisoner. He serves as the secretary general of the National Democratic Action Society (also known as Waad). . . . At around 2 AM, on Thursday, March 17, 2011 Ebrahim was arrested at his home by the Bahrain government. His only crime was calling for genuine democratic reforms in Bahrain. He was not allowed to contact his family for over a week, and even then he was only allowed a few seconds to talk on the phone. His lawyer is called upon by military authorities to attend interrogation sessions only, which has been twice so far since Ebrahim’s arrest. Beyond that there has been no other communication. We believe he may be at risk of torture or abuse under detention, as on April 10 he was reported to have been hospitalized for traumatic injuries. This unconfirmed tragic news reached his wife a week later. Since the beginning of April, four political detainees have died in police custody in Bahrain, their bodies showing significant bruises and other telltale signs of torture.
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/freesharif220411.html
Sadr Front launches “Munasiroun” project in support of Bahraini people
The Sadr Front in Basra launched on Thursday the project of Munasiroun (Supporters) with the participation of tens thousands of Basra residents. During a march organized by the Sadr Front, the project supervisor affirmed that the project will be launched in Kurdistan provinces within the coming days. The project aims mainly to support the Bahraini people, head of Ahrar bloc in Basra said.
http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-63317-Sadr-Front-launches-%E2%80%9CMunasiroun%E2%80%9D-project-in-support-of-Bahraini-people.html
Bahraini government rag: can you imagine if this threat to diplomats is printed in a Syrian daily? The UNSC would have held a special emergency session
“As our country returns to normal, it would be very abnormal if we did not highlight and question the role of a diplomat. I hope that we do not need to say that a diplomat is a decent man sent abroad to lie on behalf of his country. In a world where immorality is becoming the norm, should we maintain a protocol of immunity for the Diplomatic Corp when they seem to be licensed to harm without any accountability?”
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/04/bahraini-government-rag-can-you-imagine.html
Lies of the Bahraini royal family
R sent me this: ”Foreign Affairs Ministry says: “U.N Secretary General, for his part, emphasized the world organization’s support for measures taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain to maintain security and stability. He also praised the political reforms led by His Majesty the King and Bahrain’s progress and prosperity at all levels.” vs. U(seless)N says: “Ban Ki-moon today voiced his concern to Bahrain’s Foreign Minister about the violence in the country in which demonstrators have been killed or injured, and called for maximum restraint and caution.” Previously UN says: “The office of the human UN rights chief said Tuesday it appeared to have been targeted by an orchestrated e-mail campaign after it condemned a takeover of Bahrain hospitals by security forces. “Since last Thurday, we’ve been inundated with e-mails telling us we got it back to front and that the protesters are the ones completely at fault,” said Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. “Many of these e-mails are very similar in content, suggesting an orchestrated campaign. That said, some or even many of these e-mails may be genuine,” he added.” vs. GDN (pro-gov rag) says: “UN ‘got it wrong’ during protests”
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/04/lies-of-bahraini-royal-family.html
Iran and Bahrain exchange threats of embassy closure
Kuwait confirms expulsion of Iranian diplomats: Mehr News Agency quotes Hossein Sobhaninia of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, saying Bahrain will have committed “an irreparable error” if it shuts down the Iranian embassy “under pressure from the U.S. and Western governments.”
http://www.payvand.com/news/11/apr/1201.html
Egypt
Mubarak detained for further 15 days
Egypt’s state prosecutor renews detention of ousted leader amid probe into deadly crackdown on protesters and corruption, MENA news agency says.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4059799,00.html
Egyptian government to ease siege on Gaza
CAIRO (Ma’an) — The Egyptian government will apply new procedures at the Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border to ease travel for residents of the besieged coastal enclave, officials said Thursday. During a meeting in Cairo, Baha Ad-Dusuqi, head of Palestinian affairs in the Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed Gaza government spokesman Taher An-Nunu that new measures would be in place at the terminal soon.
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=381040
Protecting Mubarak in the Western Press
Notice that the US press is ignoring the details of Mubarak’s wealth. It is now clear, based on what is being released in the Egyptian press, that Mubrak’s wealth and corruption far exceeds that of Saddam Husayn, who had oil wealth at his disposal. I guess the information is embarrassing about a favorite US/Israeli client.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/04/protecting-mubarak-in-western-press.html
Iraq
Iraq: Widening Crackdown on Protests
(New York) – Kurdistan authorities should end their widening crackdown on peaceful protests in northern Iraq, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities should hold accountable those responsible for attacking protesters and journalists in Arbil and Sulaimaniya since April 17, 2011, including opening fire on demonstrators and beating them severely, Human Rights Watch said.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/04/21/iraq-widening-crackdown-protests
Iraqi security disperse protesters rallying against US presence
Mosul, Iraq – Iraqi police and military forces fired shots in the air to disperse hundreds of people in a northern Iraqi city who gathered Friday to protest against the US presence in the country, witnesses said.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1634680.php/Iraqi-security-disperse-protesters-rallying-against-US-presence
Libya
Civilians killed in Misurata fighting
At least five civilians have been killed in a day of fierce clashes between pro-government troops and rebel forces in the western city of Misurata.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/04/20114202007911902.html
U.S. begins using Predator drones in Libya
The decision announced by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates marks a resumption of a direct combat role for U.S. aircraft in Libya and represents a shift for the White House. President Obama has approved the use of armed Predator drone aircraft to launch airstrikes against ground targets in Libya, the latest sign of mounting concern in Washington that the NATO-led air campaign has failed to stop Moammar Kadafi’s forces from shelling the besieged city of Misurata and other populated areas.
http://feeds.latimes.com/%7Er/latimes/middleeast/%7E3/2eKiNAew36g/la-fg-gates-libya-20110422,0,338013.story
Libyan ground forces degraded by up to 40 pct-U.S.
BAGHDAD, April 22 (Reuters) – Coalition air strikes have degraded Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s main ground forces by 30 to 40 percent, but the conflict is becoming deadlocked, the top U.S. military officer said on Friday. “It’s certainly moving towards a stalemate,” said Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. military’s joint chiefs of staff, addressing U.S. troops during a visit to Baghdad.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/libyan-ground-forces-degraded-by-up-to-40-pct-us
Libya rebels seize border post
Footage has emerged of armed fighters opposed to the continuing 42-year-rule of Muammar Gaddafi seizing a border post along Libya’s national boundary with Tunisia. Gaddafi’s troops initially fled into Tunisia, but later returned to Libya, said Tunisian state TV. Waheed Burshan, a Tunis-based political activist, tells Al Jazeera’s Nick Clark about the scene at the Wazin border crossing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qQhrUdA6gg&feature=youtube_gdata
Libya rebels show off arms captured at border post
TUNISIA-LIBYA BORDER, April 22 (Reuters) – Libyan rebels showed off weapons captured from Muammar Gaddafi’s fleeing soldiers on Friday, a day after seizing a remote border crossing with Tunisia. Thousands of people have fled worsening violence in Libya’s Western Mountains region over the last week through the border crossing near the southern Tunisian town of Dehiba.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/libya-rebels-show-off-arms-captured-at-border-post
Libyan rival forces face-off in Misurata
Fierce fighting continues for the centre of Misurata, the only significant western Libyan city in the hands of the opposition. Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have been pounding it with shells and rockets in recent weeks. But rebel fighters say they are making gains, according to footage from an organisation connected to the National Transitional Council. Al Jazeera’s Nick Toksvig reports.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiHdpVDzsr8&feature=youtube_gdata
Free Libyan fighters exult in small Victories, as US begins Drone Strikes
In the west on the Tunisian border, Berber rebel troops have taken a checkpoint and chased away 200 Qaddafi loyalists, who took refuge in Tunisia. The checkpoint is on a road that can be used to supply the Western Mountain Region of Berber towns who are in revolt against Qaddafi and who are under siege, including Zintain. Libyan rebels in Misrata say that they have taken back portions of Tripoli Street, including some key tall buildings from which Qaddafi loyalists had been sniping at anyone walking below.
http://www.juancole.com/2011/04/free-libyan-fighters-exult-in-small-victories-as-us-begins-drone-strikes.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+juancole%2Fymbn+%28Informed+Comment%29
The deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Misurata.
Ahmad Hassan, a pro-democracy activist from Misurata, talks to Al Jazeera about the worsening humanitarian crisis there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-E4SfRrJjU&feature=youtube_gdata
For Misrata ambulances, every run is life or death
MISRATA, Libya, April 22 (Reuters) – Driving an ambulance in the besieged Libyan city of Misrata is always a matter of life or death these days — not only for the injured passenger in the back, but also for the luckless driver in the front. Drivers say snipers and mortar operators loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, waging a bitter street-by-street war of attrition against rebels across Misrata, regard an ambulance as a juicy target.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/for-misrata-ambulances-every-run-is-life-or-death
What more can the opposition do in Libya?
Shashank Joshi, from the Royal United Services institute, talks to Al Jazeera about what more can be done from the opposition in Libya.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwKbx9SbLc4&feature=youtube_gdata
Libyans complain arms embargo hits trade, fishing
TRIPOLI, April 22 (Reuters) – Only two ships have docked at Tripoli’s once-bustling port since mid-March and a NATO-enforced arms embargo is strangling trade and stopping fishermen from putting to sea, Libya’s coast guard and port officials say. NATO ships and planes in the Mediterranean are helping enforce a United Nations arms embargo against Muammar Gaddafi’s government, monitoring, searching and — if they see fit — diverting vessels suspected of carrying arms or mercenaries.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/libyans-complain-arms-embargo-hits-trade-fishing
Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, R.I.P.
Two of the world’s best photojournalists, Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, were killed Wednesday in Misurata. They were part of a group of six photographers reporting on the Libyan conflict in a particularly dangerous part of the besieged city.
http://pulsemedia.org/2011/04/21/tim-hetherington-and-chris-hondros-r-i-p/
Libyan royal family waits in wings for Gaddafi ouster
Mohammed al-Senussi has lived in exile for more than 20 years, ever since his family relinquished their claim to Libya’s throne in the wake of a military coup led by Moamer Gaddafi.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1634404.php/Libyan-royal-family-waits-in-wings-for-Gaddafi-ouster
Syria
Syria: Rein in Security Services
(New York) – President Bashar al-Asad’s decision to lift the state of emergency should be accompanied by concrete measures to halt the grave daily human rights violations being committed by Syria’s security forces, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch urged the authorities to permit Syrians to exercise their right to peaceful assembly on April 22, 2011.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/04/21/syria-rein-security-services
Syrians hold ‘Great Friday’ protests
Protests come as activists demand an end to Baath Party monopoly on power and the establishment of a democratic system.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/201142203815205988.html
Deaths reported in Friday protests in Syria
Security forces said to have killed 20 protesters as anti-government demonstrations rock the country.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/201142212452973755.html
Syrian information ministry spokeswoman speaks to Al Jazeera.
Reem Haddad questions claims by rights groups that more than 220 protesters have been killed since anti-government demonstrations erupted in March.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CuqiGr8azY&feature=youtube_gdata
Al Jazeera correspondent reports from Damascus
Rula Amin reports from Damascus, as anti-government protests rock the country.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy8-J3DoUQM&feature=youtube_gdata
Loyal, secretive security forces keep Syria leader in power
Unlike in Tunisia and Egypt, there have been few defections in the armed forces despite a burgeoning protest movement. Unable to stem a growing popular uprising with promises of reform, ceaseless propaganda and restrictions on the news media, Syria’s government still retains one powerful weapon: the solid support of a secretive web of security forces that so far show no signs of abandoning President Bashar Assad and his Baath Party.
http://feeds.latimes.com/%7Er/latimes/middleeast/%7E3/zemXJcvT40s/la-fg-syria-security-forces-20110422,0,6078528.story
Syria activists issue joint statement on democracy
AMMAN, April 22 (Reuters) – Syrian activists coordinating mass protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s authoritarian rule demanded on Friday the abolition of Baath Party monopoly on power and the establishment of a democratic political system. In the first joint statement since protests erupted five weeks ago, the Local Coordination Committees, representing provinces across Syria, said “freedom and dignity slogans cannot be achieved except through peaceful democratic change”. “All prisoners of conscience must be freed. The existing security apparatus has to be dismantled and replaced by one with with specific jurisdiction and which operates according to law,” said the joint statement, which was sent to Reuters.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/syria-activists-issue-joint-statement-on-democracy
The Government Draws a Line in the Sand
The Syrian government has drawn a line in the sand. Now that it has made concessions — canceled the special National Security Court, lifted the emergency law, fired governors of Banyas and Deraa governates, named a new Prime Minister and cabinet and promised a new party law — the president has stated that there is no longer reason to demonstrate. He has called the on-going uprising a rebellion. The Baath Party has stated that there will be no tolerance with “terrorists” in the Arab country.
http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=9214&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Syriacomment+%28Syria+Comment%29
US seeks to exploit anti-Assad movement in Syria
According to cables published by WikiLeaks, the State Department provided $6 million to an Islamic group, the Movement for Justice and Development, similar to Turkey’s ruling party of the same name, set up by Syrian exiles in London.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/apr2011/syri-a21.shtml
Tunisia
Tunisian gender-parity ‘revolution’ hailed
In a regional breakthrough, parties must present equal numbers of male and female candidates in Tunisia’s July vote.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/africa/2011/04/2011421161714335465.html
Problems linger in Sidi Bouzid
It was the self-immolation of a young Tunisian man that sparked the uprising that has spread across the Arab world. However, months after the revolution that brought down 23 years of authoritarian rule, the struggle there in Tunisia is far from over, as Al Jazeera’s Nazanine Moshiri reports from Sidi Bouzid. Mohamed Bouazizi’s desperate gesture might have ignited the uprising. But it was years of state oppression – poverty and unemployment that really inspired people to protest — President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is gone – but this remains one of the poorest parts of Tunisia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R6jICmwEbo&feature=youtube_gdata
Yemen
Massive Protests Reported In Yemen As Government Moves On Military
SANAA, Yemen — Authorities in Yemen have moved against military figures who defected from the camp of the country’s embattled president to join the opposition, arresting several officers on Friday, according to a military official. The detentions reflect President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s defiance in the face of two months of protests demanding he relinquish power and growing defections by loyalists, tribal allies, ranking government officials and military figures.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/22/yemen-protests-saleh_n_852445.html
Other & Analysis, Op-ed
Saudi Shi’ite protesters demand human rights reform
JEDDAH, April 22 (Reuters) – Some 200 Shi’ites protested in Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing east on Friday, calling for human rights reform and denouncing the demolition of Shi’ite mosques in nearby Bahrain, two activists told Reuters. The gathering in the town of Awwamiya defied a call by leading Shi’ite clerics a day earlier for an end to two months of protests in the conservative kingdom’s Eastern Province, in an apparent bow to government pressure. Shi’ite activists said they were protesting against the destruction of Shi’ite mosques in Bahrain by the Sunni-led government, after its crackdown on a pro-democracy movement in the country led mostly by Shi’ites.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/saudi-shiite-protesters-demand-human-rights-reform
Iran and the Arab world
Watching developments in the Arab world and the intensification of protests in Syria only confirms this impression: the repressive Iranian regime was only able to preserve the regime in the face of protests last year purely because the regime has real basis of support, unlike all other Arab regimes (Gulf regimes don’t have social bases but they have populations susceptible to mass bribes by the royal families.
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/04/iran-and-arab-world.html
Zionist fanatics are in awe of House of Saud
“Who would have thought that we would find ourselves agreeing with the Saudi approach to events in the Middle East, while thinking our own government needs a “reset”? National Security Council Advisor Tom Donilon visited Saudi Arabia and Saudi King Abdullah brought three of his advisors to the meeting: Director of General Intelligence Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz; Secretary-General of the National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan; and Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel Jubeir. David V. Dafinoiu of the Global Intelligence Center describes Muqrin as focused on Iran, Yemen, Libya and al Qaeda; Bandar on foreign military relations other than the United States; and Jubeir having the U.S. portfolio. All, according to the Dafinoiu, are “Hawks and live wires.” That looks about right – Iran, Yemen, Libya and al Qaeda are where the action is; Saudi Arabia is buying military equipment from China as well as the United States; and well, it was an American envoy, so Jubeir was there. Notice what did not appear to be on the agenda – Israel, Israeli occupation, Palestinians or Palestinian independence.”
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/04/zionist-fanatics-are-in-awe-of-house-of.html
Is the Tide Turning Against Arab Freedom?, PATRICK COCKBURN
Is a counter-revolutionary tide beginning to favour the “strongmen” of the Arab world, whose regimes appeared a couple of months ago to be faltering under the impact of the Arab Awakening? From Libya to Bahrain and Syria to Yemen, leaders are clinging on to power despite intense pressure from pro-democracy protesters. And the counter-revolution has so far had one undoubted success: the Bahraini monarchy, backed by troops from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, has brutally but effectively crushed the protesters in the island kingdom. Pro-democracy leaders are in jail or have fled abroad. The majority Shia population is being terroriZed by arbitrary arrests, torture, killings, disappearances, sackings, and the destruction of its mosques and religious places.
http://www.counterpunch.com/patrick04222011.html
