Deadly clashes in Bahrain's capital

Troops using tear gas and armoured cars evicted hundreds of protesters from their camp in Bahrain’s capital today trying to squash the growing movement challenging the 200-year-old monarchy.

At least five people were killed as clashes flared across the kingdom.

The unrest that began last month has increasingly showed signs of a sectarian showdown. The country’s Sunni leaders are desperate to hold power, and majority Shiites are calling for an end to their dynasty.

A Saudi-led force from Gulf allies, fearful for their own regimes and worried about Shiite Iran’s growing influence, has grown to more than 1,000 soldiers.

Today’s full-scale assault began at dawn in Pearl Square, the centre of the uprising inspired by Arab revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. Hours later, security forces were picking through burned debris and other remains of the protest camp.

In another area of Bahrain, one witness described police in a village “hunting” Shiites in what could be part of a wider campaign of intimidation.

The king’s announcement yesterday of a three-month emergency rule and the crackdown on Pearl Square sent a message that authorities will strike back with overwhelming force in the strategic island nation, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

Security forces barred journalists and others from moving freely around Manama and other areas of the country a day after emergency rule was declared. A 4 a.m to 4 p.m. curfew was imposed in most of the country.

At least two protesters were killed when the square was stormed, a third later died from wounds.

The government insisted the only fatalities during the raid were two policemen who were “repeatedly run over by three vehicles containing protesters leaving the fringes of the scene.”

State TV broadcast video showing military vehicles in the square flying Bahrain’s red-and-white flag as security officials moved through the wreckage of the encampment, set up at the base of a towering monument to the country’s history as a pearl diving centre.

Helicopters criss-crossed over the square, which was cleared by security forces late last month but was later retaken by protesters after a deadly confrontation with army units.