A Bahraini American who just returned from the island country has been informed of numerous barbaric assaults against civilians since anti-government protests began. Contacting The Arab American News from out of state, the person requested anonymity to avoid potential threats against family living in Bahrain.

The person said she heard 26 innocent civilians have mysteriously vanished recently, with no traces left behind or clues to their disappearances.  People described as government thugs are breaking into homes at night and taking away civilians. “They keep threatening to take away people who have been active there,” the person added.

Government thugs have smashed tires on cars in attempts to prevent civilians from participating in anti-government demonstrations.  The thugs aren’t police, and wear black masks to conceal their identity while carrying lethal weapons.

The person said she heard that doctors and nurses were being physically attacked, and some detained while treating patients at a hospital. The assaults are a result of suspicion that grew about their engagement in anti-government protests.  Some had volunteered after working hours to help those injured in demonstrations. A physician who appeared on CNN claiming ammunition was used against civilians disappeared.  A nurse was shot coming home from work for no apparent reason.

The hospital where the attacks occurred is a danger zone for patients as well. Many patients with bullet wounds or other indications that show their involvement in anti-government protests have become targets of police attacks in the hospital. Demonstrators with injuries are avoiding hospitals if possible.

The hospital and ambulances are also being closely monitored for people whose injuries have a connection with the protests. “Police would have to escort you into the hospital or ambulance to see if you have injuries related to the protests…they want to control them,” the source said.  

The source said the head of the teachers’ union and other organizations have been attacked for voicing opinions that challenge the government.

The person said she overcame her fears by attending two funerals while there. Such processions have been attacked recently in Bahrain.

 “It was terrifying for me to go, but you get the courage when you see so many people,” the source said, adding that Saudi Arabian troops are just as accountable for the lost lives of innocent Bahrainis.

The Bahraini government is censoring the media and spinning false stories in its favor, the person claimed. The media reported protesters have Iranian connections. “The government spun the story to accuse protestors they are Iranian agents in Bahrain, although…no evidence exists.”

Television talk show hosts have called the protestors violent traitors. Kuwait offered aid to Bahrain for those injured in the unrest, but its government refused. 

Additionally, social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter have been slowed down, and YouTube videos prevented from being uploaded.  Syria and Libya are receiving more coverage than Bahrain, the person says.  “It doesn’t mean that our struggle for democracy and good government can be ignored. We need to freeze the assets of the royal family.” 

The source said protests against the government began in August of last year and were confined to the villages, but in February they escalated to middle class and urban populations. “The government is very scared of urban areas, middle class, not just lower income areas. We have an unequal small minority… extremely wealthy,” the person said. “People are told if you protest, we are going to kill you.”

The person went through several checkpoints before reaching a destination, saying it’s difficult to flee the country because of security.

“It’s frightening to go to a checkpoint with a guard pointing guns at you,” she said.