Bahrain: State of National Security Called

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.

On Tuesday March 15, 2011, one month after protests started on the February 14 in Bahraini capital Manama, His Highness King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa announced a State of National Security, giving full power to the army to protect national security.

Recently demonstrations have escalated, with clashes between protesters, police and thugs occurring at the Bahrain Financial Harbour and University of Bahrain.

Tweeps have reacted with much confusion as to what the announcement means, with many considering it martial law. It comes after forces from the Gulf Cooperation Council's ‘Peninsula Shield Force‘ entered Bahrain on Monday 14.

GCC Troops

GCC Troops

@WafflesBahraini: GCC Troops picture #2 #Bahrain http://twitpic.com/49g8mn

@ehsankooheji: To confirm the previous tweet is from official statement on BTV, a state of “National Safety” or Martial Law under BDF starting today.

@FetoonBintAhmed says [ar]:

الي مافهم يا جماعة .. الحكم بيصير عسكري لمدة 3 شهور الملك سلم الجيش التصرف الحر في هذي الازمة لمدة 3 شهور لحفظ الامن #bahrain
For those who don't understand.. We will be under military rule for 3 months and they have the freedom to act to fix this crisis”

@EbtisamBahar: Martial law! Now I can sleep with no fear! Thank Allah, shukran your Majesty

Note: Shukran means thank you in Arabic

@SiconianGirl: It is not called Martial Laws it is actually Declaration of National Security Status for 3months #Baharin #lulu #feb14

@LailaAlMoughani says [ar]:

يعني حالة الطواريء والاحكام العرفية يعني يعدمونك بدون محاكمةعلى الهوية
“This means a State of Emergency which means they can execute you without trial

@BHR14N says [ar]:

الملك يعطي وزارة الدفاع والحرس الملكي وأجهزة الأمن بابادة الشعب البحريني
“The King gives the Ministry of Defense, Royal Guard and security apparatus the right to commit genocide on the Bahraini people”

@IsaMohamed says [ar]

قرار من الملك . اعلان حالة السلامه .. مبروكين شباب . بترد الديره احسن من اول . يعني تسليم الامن للجيش . يباب ياحريم . تكبير ياشباب #Bahrain
“Decree from King. Announcement of State of National Security..Congratulations guys. The country will be back better than ever. Meaning security will be in the army's hands. Rejoice one and all”

@MDaaysi: Whose martial law I may ask? if the King has no longer “got the power” … and Saudi troops are in #Bahrain

@Ausamah_Alabsi: Clarification: “State of National Safety” is NOT “Martial Law”, its a degree lower, the constitution differentiates between them

@Ausamah_Alabsi: The Difference between “State of National Safety” and “Martial Law” is that in “State of National Safety” CONSTITUTION IS NOT SUSPENDED

@Hrmsless says [ar]:

صامدون .. ولن نتنازل عن المطالبة ولن تنفع الاحكام العرفية واحكام الطوارئ. #Bahrain #lulu #feb14 #14feb
“We are steadfast and we will not stop nor surrender our protests for our rights, and no emergency laws nor martial law will deter us”.

This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011.

2 comments

Join the conversation

Authors, please log in »

Guidelines

  • All comments are reviewed by a moderator. Do not submit your comment more than once or it may be identified as spam.
  • Please treat others with respect. Comments containing hate speech, obscenity, and personal attacks will not be approved.