Security forces move on protesters in Bahrain's capital

Security forces in Bahrain's capital stormed an encampment of protesters in the dead of night Thursday, killing at least three people and injuring about 200.

The charge occurred early Thursday in the Pearl Roundabout, a landmark city circle located in the center of Manama, and the clampdown swiftly drew local and international condemnation.

Witnesses described a blunt show of force, with police firing pellets, rubber bullets and tear gas to force protesters out of the square.

One 15-year-old boy who said he and others were sleeping when police swooped and he had buckshot wounds to his arm and abdomen, and one reporter attacked while he was describing the melee said the security forces weren't "screwing around."

Three people were killed and at least 195 others were injured, the country's health minister, Dr. Faisal Ben Yacoub Al Hamar, said on state television.

Human rights advocates sharply criticized the security forces.

"The Bahraini authorities have again reacted to legitimate protest by using deadly force. They must end their continuing crackdown on activists calling for reform," said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa director.

"They must also carry out a full, impartial investigation into the force used this morning against peaceful protesters, including families with children, and whether the use of deadly force was justified.

"If not, those who gave the orders and used excessive force must be brought to justice."

Bahrain is among the latest Arab states to face a surge of dissent following the revolts that toppled longtime autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt.

The tiny but strategically critical island nation is an American ally and houses the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Authorities there defended their handling of protesters early Thursday.

They said they used a minimum of force and that their forces suffered casualties in confrontations with demonstrators. Their forces found firearms, knives and Hezbollah flags, they said.

Hours after the crackdown, Al Wifaq, the largest opposition party in the parliament, announced it had decided to withdraw from the body, the party's head, Abdul Jalil Khalil told CNN.

This week, there have been thousands of activists camping at the foot of the Pearl Roundabout.

For days, police were nowhere in sight as about 3,000 people laid out blankets and pitched tents in protest, but that peaceful reality changed dramatically overnight.

Witnesses said police came in with dozens of vehicles, surrounded the roundabout and began firing "pellet bullets," rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators.

Police were able to clear the roundabout of thousands of protesters and hours after that, convoys of more than 50 military armored personnel carriers each armed with machine guns drove into the area. Convoys included trucks carrying razor wire.

Authorities pushed protesters out of the roundabout and sent many fleeing into the darkness to side streets. But at about 8 a.m. -- more than five hours after the crackdown started -- the sound of tear gas canisters could be still be heard.

Bahrain's state media quoted an Interior Ministry official talking about the crackdown.

"Public security forces carried out this morning the evacuation of the crowd and the protesters from Pearl Square after exhausting all opportunities for dialogue with them, some of them have responded and left quietly, while others refused to comply with the law, which called to intervene in order to disperse them," Bahrain News Agency reported.

Bahrain's armed forces also released a statement about the issue.

"The armed forces of Bahrain calls on all citizens to distance themselves from gatherings in vital areas in the capital because this will have a negative impact on traffic and will create fear and shock in the area, and will result in a traffic crisis which will disrupt the daily life of the citizens and endanger their personal interest," the statement said.

But the toll of the crackdown was evident at Salamaniya hospital in Manama.

A group of angry people gathered there, along with distraught family members looking for loved ones.

Inside the hospital's emergency treatment room was a scene that neared chaos, as injured people struggled, some with head trauma, or suffering with bloody wounds in the head and chest.

Doctors also complained that they were not allowed by security forces to get ambulances to the injured who were still on the ground near the roundabout Thursday morning. After complaining to authorities, ambulances were allowed to go into the area.

An ABC reporter was attacked while he was on the phone, describing the scene for the network Thursday. In the midst of his report, Miguel Marquez could be heard shouting on the audiotape, "Journalist! Journalist! No! No!" Heavy thuds and the sounds of police yelling could also be heard.

After several minutes, Marquez insisted repeatedly "I'm going! I'm going!" and called out for co-workers. Finally, he returned to the audio line and explained what had just happened. His voice broke as he said, "These people are not screwing around."

In Washington, the State Department said it was "very concerned" by the violence and said it welcomed the promise of an investigation.

The U.S. Embassy in Manama put out a statement on the crackdown Thursday.

"We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence," the statement said. "Please avoid these areas. If you encounter a large public gathering or demonstration, depart the vicinity immediately."

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he spoke to the Bahraini foreign minister and stressed the "need for peaceful action to address the concerns of protesters" and "the importance of respect for the right to peaceful protest and for freedom of expression."

"We also urge all sides to avoid violence and the police to exercise restraint," Hague said.

Bahrain is ruled by a Sunni Muslim royal family, but two-thirds of the population are Shiites. In recent years, younger Shiites have staged violent protests to complain about discrimination, unemployment and corruption, and many Shiites say the country's constitution has done little to improve their condition.

The protests in Bahrain started Sunday. They intensified earlier this week after two demonstrators were killed by security forces.

On Wednesday, Bahrain's Interior Ministry had said those involved in two deaths during previous protests had been placed in custody.

"We express our regret over those who died or were injured in the latest incidents and extend our sincere condolences to their families and to the people of Bahrain," according to a statement on the ministry's website.

After that, protesters had largely been left alone by police until the recent crackdown.