Bahrain Army Fires on Protesters; 50 Injured

Soldiers opened fire today on thousands of protesters defying a government ban and streaming toward the square in Manama that is the symbolic center of their uprising. Officials at the main Salmaniya hospital said at least 50 people were injured, some with gunshot wounds. Medical X-rays shows live bullets were used, and some doctors and medics on emergency medical teams were in tears as they tended to the wounded.

"This is a war," said Dr. Bassem Deif, an orthopedic surgeon. Protesters described a chaotic scene of tear gas clouds, bullets coming from many directions, and people slipping in pools of blood as they sought cover. Some claimed the gunfire came from either helicopters or sniper nests. It follows the surprise police raid on sleeping protesters that killed five. Click for a primer on the country and the protests. (More Bahrain protests stories.)