Several people were hurt in fighting between Sunni and majority Shia Muslims in a town in central Bahrain on Friday, the first sectarian violence since protests erupted in the Sunni-ruled kingdom two weeks ago. The overnight clashes were triggered by a family dispute or a car accident, or both, according to different accounts, although the government said the cause of the dispute was "simple".
"There were about a hundred people involved," one resident said as police helicopters circled overhead and ambulances rushed from the scene. Youths with sticks and batons fled the area, residents said. The island kingdom has been gripped by unrest since protesters, formed mainly of disgruntled majority Shia Muslims, took to the streets demanding democratic reforms in the US-allied Sunni monarchy.
Seven people died after police and the army tried to disperse the protests when they erupted two weeks ago, but since there had been no more violence since the government has ordered police forces and troops off the streets under international pressure and promised to start talks.
Friday's fighting came hours after Bahraini opposition groups said they were ready to enter into talks with the government without pre-conditions, but have sent a letter to the crown prince saying they want a new government and constitution. Fighting died down when police forces arrived and fired some teargas to disperse crowds, the residents said. Later there was a stand-off between riot police and groups of Shia who rushed to the area from other parts of Bahrain.
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