FEBRUARY, 2011
- 14: Demonstrations in several Shiite-majority villages.
- 17: Four demonstrators die in police attack on Pearl Square in central Manama, which has become the focus of the protests. The main opposition movement, Al-Wefaq, withdraws from parliament.
- 19: Thousands of demonstrators return to Pearl Square after security forces withdraw tanks.
MARCH
- 14: Some 1,000 Gulf armoured troops enter Bahrain from neighbouring Saudi Arabia. Riyadh says it has responded to a call for help from Manama. The United Arab Emirates sends 500 police officers and Kuwait sends naval units.
- 16: Police backed by tanks and helicopters clear Pearl Square of protesters. The UN slams security forces' takeover of hospitals and medical facilities. Shiite Iran withdraws its ambassador a day after Manama recalled its ambassador from Iran.
- 17: Six opposition leaders, including five hardline Shiite activists, arrested.
- 19: Authorities demolish the monument in Pearl Square.
APRIL
- 28: The first death penalties are pronounced against protesters.
JULY
- 29: Al-Wefaq slams the national dialogue's recommendations submitted to King Hamad, reiterating demands for an "elected government," an "elected parliament which has full legislative powers," and a "fair and independent judicial system". On July 17 it had announced it was withdrawing from the dialogue, saying it was not aimed at achieving serious results.
SEPTEMBER
- 28: A special court sentences 20 Shiite medics to between five and 15 years in prison for their roles in the protests. The trial is then sent to a civilian court.
OCTOBER
- 7: A 16-year-old Shiite is shot dead by security forces, Al-Wefaq says, the third time in less than two months the opposition has claimed the death of a protester.
NOVEMBER
- 23: The head of Bahrain's Independent Commission of Inquiry says security forces used "excessive force" and tortured detainees in its crackdown, which left 35 dead, including five from torture. The king says he accepts the report's conclusions. Amnesty International says that 20 protesters have been killed since, with 3,000 arrested and 700 still in detention.
- 29: King Hamad announces a new head of national security, from outside the royal family.
JANUARY, 2012
- 15: The king introduces constitutional reforms giving more power to the elected parliament, but falling far short of opposition demands.
- 26: The opposition accuses the security forces of killing a protester detained following clashes with police in a Shiite village.
FEBRUARY
- 13: Police clash with protesters in Shiite villages ahead of the anniversary of the start of the protests. Amnesty International says the government "remains far from delivering the human rights changes" recommended by the commission of inquiry. King Hamad says there is no organised opposition in Bahrain.
