The protests in Bahrain started on 14 February , and were initially aimed at achieving greater political freedom and respect for human rights ; they were not intended to directly threaten the monarchy . Lingering frustration among the Shiite majority with being ruled by the Sunni government was a major root cause , but the protests in Tunisia and Egypt are cited as the inspiration for the demonstrations . The protests were largely peaceful until a pre-dawn raid by police on 17 February to clear protestors from Pearl Roundabout in Manama , in which police killed four protesters . Following the raid , some protesters began to expand their aims to a call for the end of the monarchy . On 18 February army forces opened fire on protesters when they tried to reenter the roundabout , fatally wounding one . The following day protesters reoccupied Pearl Roundabout after the government ordered troops and police to withdraw . Subsequent days saw large demonstrations ; on 21 February a pro-government Gathering of National Unity drew tens of thousands , whilst on 22 February the number of protestors at the Pearl Roundabout peaked at over 150,000 after more than 100,000 protesters marched there . On 14 March , Saudi-led GCC forces were requested by the government and entered the country , which the opposition called an " occupation "
marched
March of loyalty to martyrs
2000s in Bahrain