Bahrain has arrested at least seven opposition leaders and driven pro-democracy demonstrators from the streets after weeks of protests that prompted its king to declare martial law and draw in troops from Saudi Arabia.
The unrest brought Bahrain's economy to a virtual standstill and schools and universities were closed to prevent sectarian clashes that had begun to erupt daily.
Earlier this week, Bahrain imposed a curfew on large swathes of the capital Manama from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., later reducing those hours in some areas.
The curfew now runs from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. from Seef Mall, through the Pearl Square roundabout and the financial district to the diplomatic area.
“The Education Ministry calls on all the employees of the ministry, schools, nurseries and higher education institutes, both public and private, ... to return to work starting from Sunday March 20,” it said in a statement on Bahrain News Agency.
It said students would be given a date soon to return to schools and universities.
Meanwhile, a convoy of Kuwaiti doctors and medical equipment was en route Saturday to Bahrain as Gulf neighbors pour more troops and aid into the violence-torn kingdom that has become an arena for regional tensions.
Kuwait's ambassador, Sheikh Azzam Mubarak Al-Sabah, said the team is expected to arrive Sunday and includes 53 doctors, 21 ambulances and other vehicles, according to Kuwait's state-run KUNA news agency.
Kuwait is not contributing troops to the Saudi-led GCC force that entered Bahrain earlier this week to support the nation's monarchy, which was reeling after more than a month of protests seeking to break the dynasty's grip on power. Qatar, however, was the latest Gulf nation to announce its soldiers joined the military action in Bahrain.
The Gulf force underscores the deep worries about Bahrain's stability among the region's Sunni kings and sheiks. They fear any stumble by Bahrain's leaders could embolden more challenges to their own regimes and possibly open room for Iran to make political inroads.
No serious clashes were reported Saturday in Bahrain, which is under martial law-style rules and nighttime curfews in some areas. Bahraini authorities expanded the no-go zones offshore, banned all professional and sport fishermen from leaving port at night in an possible attempt to clear waters for anti-smuggling patrols.
However, a fourth Bahraini protester has died of wounds sustained during a government crackdown this week on demonstrations, an opposition group said on Saturday.
Bahrain's largest opposition group, Wefaq, said the latest death brought the number of protesters killed since the start of demonstrations last month to 11. Four policemen have also been killed.
