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Bahrain Boy's Police Killing Reignites Unrest

Source: foreignpolicy.com

TL;DR

Police killed 14-year-old Ali Jawad Ahmad during Sitra protest on Aug. 31, 2011.
10,000 attended funeral calling for Al-Khalifa overthrow.
Failed reforms deepen polarization, hurting foreign investment.

The story at a glance

Police shot dead 14-year-old Ali Jawad Ahmad at an Eid al-Fitr demonstration in Sitra on Aug. 31, sparking protests across Shiite villages and attempts to reclaim Pearl Roundabout in Manama. This reignited tensions after spring 2011 unrest, amid flawed National Dialogue and BICI processes that failed to bridge regime-opposition divides. Businesses like Volvo and Credit Agricole are pulling back due to instability.[[1]](https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/09/06/dark-clouds-over-bahrain/)[[2]](https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/09/06/dark-clouds-over-bahrain)

Key moments & milestones

Feb-Mar 2011: Pro-democracy protests at Pearl Roundabout; site bulldozed by regime.
June 1, 2011: Martial law lifted; King Hamad starts National Dialogue and BICI.
June 22, 2011: National Safety Court sentences 13 opposition leaders, including Abdeljalil Singace and Hassan Mushaima to life.
June 29, 2011: BICI established, led by Cherif Bassiouni.
July 2-30, 2011: National Dialogue held; Al-Wefaq withdraws July 18 over lack of representation.
Aug. 15, 2011: Protesters storm BICI office in Manama.
Aug. 31, 2011: Ali Jawad Ahmad killed by police in Sitra.

Signature highlights

Al-Wefaq, with 45% in Oct. 2010 elections, got only 5/300 delegates (1.67%) in National Dialogue.
Opposition delegates made up 11.67% total; no discussion of electoral boundaries or elected government.
Bassiouni told Reuters abuses were by "people at the lower level," not policy, drawing opposition backlash.
Hard-liners like Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah, and Bin Ahmed brothers gain power over Crown Prince Salman.
Aug. 2011 exits: Volvo cancels 2012 Golf Champions, Credit Agricole moves to Dubai, IISS suspends Manama Security Dialogue.

Key quotes

Dr. Jassim Hussain Ali (Al-Wefaq MP): "more of a social event than a political dialogue."

Why it matters

Regime's flawed reform efforts entrench divisions in Bahrain, a key U.S. ally hosting Fifth Fleet. Instability prompts foreign firms to exit, threatening economic stability and investment. Watch BICI report due Oct. 30, 2011, and power shifts among Al-Khalifa factions.