Siege of Eker

The Siege of Eker refers to the Bahraini security forces imposing a lockdown of the village of Eker, situated about 20 km south of the capital Manama, Bahrain.

Siege of Eker
Part of the Bahraini uprising (2011-present)
Bahraini security forces and police SUVs patrolling the besieged village of Eker, Bahrain, 20 Oct 2012
TypeSiege
Location
Eker, Bahrain
TargetFinding the perpetrator for Imran Ahmed's death (Government claim)
Date19 October 2012 – ?

Background

On the morning of Friday, October 19, 2012, the government announced that a police officer of Pakistani origin had been killed by a homemade bomb in the village of Eker.[1] The government released a video of the alleged bombing.[2] Two days later, the Minister of the Interior stated that the policeman had been killed by shrapnel from an iron rod launched from a distance of 100 meters.[3] A follow-up report issued by the government said that the policeman was hit with a "projectile" in his head. The cause of death was given as "a penetrating injury to the head causing skull fracture, damage and hemorrhage in the brain."[4]

The Siege

In the wake of the alleged explosion, the government deployed police in SUVs and armored vehicles to Eker, and sealed off all routes leading to and from the village. Checkpoints were set up at various locations, and security forces carried out house raids, arresting at least 7 people, who the Ministry of Interior (Bahrain) claims may have been involved in the alleged explosion.[5] Bahraini human rights activists have stated that the raids carried out against citizens' houses are unlawful, and the arrests are arbitrary and without reasonable grounds.

A statement released by Bahrain's largest licensed opposition party, Al Wefaq described the siege as state-sponsored "terrorism".[6] The statement also said that extrajudicial raids were carried out on over forty houses in Eker, detailing property damage and harassment during the raids.[7][8][9]

Security forces have enforced a blockade, denying entry and exit to the village for over 48 hours. Regular food deliveries have been turned back, and ambulances have been denied access. Within the village, police have prevented residents from attending school.[10]

Al Wefaq and other licensed opposition parties, including National Democratic Action Society (Waad), Ekhaa, Qawmy, and Wahdawy, have collectively announced that they will be sending a joint delegation to Eker on the morning of Sunday, October 21, 2012, to try and peacefully break siege of the village.[11] The opposition parties also plan to hold a protest Sunday afternoon.

See also

Bahraini uprising (2011–present)

Bahrain: Shouting in the dark, Al Jazeera English documentary about the uprising.

May Ying Welsh, "Bahrain: Shouting in the dark ", Documentary, 51 min, Al Jazeera English, 2011.

References
  1. "Bahrain detains seven over killing of policeman". Reuters. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  2. البحرين : الاعتداء الارهابي على افراد الشرطة في العكر. Bahrain News Agency. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  3. "وزير الداخلية: إشاعات مغرضة تتعمد إثارة الفوضى وتضليل الرأي العام بأن العكر محاصرة". Al-Wasat. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  4. BICI Follow-Up Report (PDF) (Report). BICI Follow-Up Unit. November 2011.
  5. The Associated Press (20 October 2012). "Bahrain: 7 detained after deadly bombing". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 21 Oct 2012.
  6. "The Al-Wefaq Makes an Urgent Appeal for Saving Lives in Al-Eker". Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  7. "A team including figures and activists head people to AlEker to break the siege, the forces respond". Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  8. "What's going on in Bahrain's Al-Eker village?". Global Post. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  9. "The opposition parties demand a stop to the collective punishment against Al-Eker residents". Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  10. "Bahrain: Urgent Appeal – "Al Eker" Village is Under Arbitrary Police Siege for more than 48 hours As a Collective Punishment". BCHR. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  11. "The opposition to head to al-Eker to lift the regime's oppressive siege". Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
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