MANAMA, Bahrain - More than 50 armored vehicles were seen moving toward the center of Manama on Thursday shortly after police firing tear gas and brandishing sticks protesters cleared the government of a historic square.
Police destroyed a makeshift camp in the Pearl Plaza, which had become the focus of demands for sweeping political changes to bring in the kingdom.
The main opposition group Al Wefaq said at least two people died in the assault before dawn, which was full of flattened tents, flags trampled and broken glass. There was no official information on deaths or injuries, but hospitals reported dozens of people arrived with wounds and respiratory problems from the tear gas.
Hours after police retook control of the square, the small island was in lockdown mode. Tanks and armored vehicles were seen in some areas - the first sign of military involvement in the crisis. Police checkpoints have been set up along main roads and armed patrols moved through neighborhoods in an apparent attempt to prevent any mass meeting.
Barbed wire was put around the Plaza of pearls and a message from the Ministry of Interior said that the protest camp "illegal." The air still carried the smell of tear gas over four hours after the assault.
The blow from the authorities marked a dramatic change in tactics. Apparently, the leaders of Bahrain has sought to control the security forces after clashes Monday that killed at least two people dead and brought heavy criticism from Western allies - including the U.S. - Which operates its main naval base in the Gulf of Bahrain.
The police detained on Wednesday as tens of thousands of demonstrators filled the square near the sea, dominated by a monument 300 feet (90 meters) to the history of Bahrain as a center for pearl diving.
After the suppression of early Thursday, protesters who had camped in the square during the night the police described swarming through a cloud of stinging eyes tear gas.
"They attacked our stores, beating us with batons," said Jafar Jafar, 17. "The police lined the bridge head. They were firing tear gas from the bridge."
Hussein Abbas, 22, was awakened by a missed call on his cell phone from his wife, probably trying to warn her about reports that police were preparing to move in.
"Then, suddenly, the square was filled with clouds of tear gas. Our women were screaming. ... What kind of ruler his people do? There were women and children with us! "
One man said he pretended to be unconscious to avoid further beatings by the police.
ABC News said its correspondent Miguel Marquez, was caught in the crowd and beaten by men with clubs, but not seriously injured.
"Whoever made the decision to attack the protest was aimed at killing," said Abdul Jalil Khalil, a parliamentarian with the block Wefaq Reuters on Thursday. "This is real terrorism."
The Egyptian-inspired protests began Monday as a cry from the country's Sunni monarchy to loosen its control, including government positions above picking hand, and open more opportunities for the country's Shiite majority, who have complained of be blocked from making functions or key positions in the military.
But that requires lifting have grown bolder. Many of the protesters asked the government to provide more jobs and better housing, free all political prisoners and the abolition of a system that provides the public with Bahrain's Sunnis throughout the Middle East as a way to close the gap the population with the Shiites, who represent 70 percent of the population. Many nationals find work in newly formed security forces to further consolidate the number of suspected supporters of the protection system of government.
Increasingly, the protesters also chanted slogans to clean the entire ruling dynasty that has led to Bahrain for over 200 years and is firmly supported by the Sunni sheiks and monarchs of the Gulf.
Although Bahrain is among the OPEC heavyweight Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which has limited resources of oil and relies heavily on its role as a regional financial center and a playground for Saudis, who can drive over a road to enjoy western style of Bahrain bars, hotels and beaches.
Social networking sites have been stirred up on Wednesday with calls to push ahead with protests. They were found by the insults of the assumed government supporters who called the protesters traitors and agents of the Shiite power Iran. Some noted that the Iranian hardliners have called "Province 14" Bahrain Islamic republic for its links Shiite.
The next step of the protest movement is unclear, but the island has been rocked by street clashes as recently as last summer. A wave of arrests of dissident Shiites perceive triggered weeks of rioting and demonstrations.
Before the attack on the square, the protesters had asked for important meetings after Friday prayers. The deaths, however, could become a cool venue. Thousands of people had left the funeral procession of two people killed in protests earlier in the week.
Mahmoud Mansouri, the pants were torn into chaos, said police surrounded the camp and then quickly moved in.
"We shouted," We are peaceful! Pacific! Women and children were attacked as the rest of us, "he said." They moved as the media has left us. They knew what they are doing. "
country's leaders scheduled an emergency parliamentary session on Thursday afternoon. But it can only serve to highlight the divisions of the country and bolster its image as the most politically volatile in the Gulf.
The main Shia opposition bloc, with 18 of the 40 seats, has said he will not return to the chamber to protest demands are met.
