Wüstenschiff

Zwei Jahre nach dem Beginn der erfolglosen Revolution in Bahrain und der von Saudi-Arabien geführten Intervention in dem Golfstaat halten die Proteste unvermindert an. Ein Ende des Konflikts ist nicht in Sicht, da auch die Führung in Riad dem Reformprogramm des bahrainischen König Hamads enge Grenzen setzt.

Security forces in Bahrain have begun a pre-emptive crackdown ahead of nationwide anti-government protests scheduled for Wednesday. The protests are being organised by a group calling itself "Tamarod," or "rebellion," mimicking the Egyptian movement of the same name, which organised protests that led to the military overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi last month. The group has urged businesses to join them in a general strike, and plans to rally in Manama despite a recently-issued ban on protests in the capital and harsh new penalties aimed at curbing dissent. Police on Tuesday set up checkpoints around Shia villages outside the capital which have been a main source of opposition to the government.

Bahrain officials said a city hall was set ablaze during a night of clashes between police and protesters, following the execution of three men convicted of a deadly bombing targeting police. Bahrain's interior ministry said on Monday that the fire at the Northern City Hall appeared intentional. It said firefighters were able to contain it. Hundreds protested on Sunday over the execution by firing squad of three Shia men accused of the 2014 bombing that killed two Bahraini policemen and an Emirati officer.

80 Milliarden Barrel Erdöl will Bahrain im Meeresboden gefunden haben. Offenbar rechtzeitig, denn das kriselnde Königreich braucht dringend Geld. Aber wie viel von dem Schatz lässt sich überhaupt heben?