Military troops from Saudi Arabia, police from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain security forces used tear gas, armoured vehicles and helicopters to drive out anti-government protesters from a square in Bahrain's capital. Protesters fled to side streets and four people were reported killed. Bahrain declared a three-month state of emergency handing wide powers to the armed forces to quell demonstrations by Shiite protesters. Bahrain's stock exchange closed and there is no indication when it will reopen for trading. The presence of troops heightened fears of a sectarian conflict. Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran have made veiled accusations that the other was stirring violence in Bahrain. Bahrain’s ambassador temporarily withdrew from Tehran after Iran described foreign troops as an ‘occupation.’ The heightened violence weakens hopes for a ‘national dialogue’ to resolve the situation that was announced by the government weeks ago.

Pray: there will be no brutal attacks on unarmed civilians but rather the international community would protect Bahraini people. (Ps.9:16)

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