BRUSSELS, March 24 (UPI) -- It's wrong to lay all of the blame for violence in Bahrain at the hands of the country's security forces, a European foreign policy adviser said.
Violent clashes between pro-monarchy groups and anti-government demonstrators have intensified in recent days prompting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to deploy troops to the country under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The political violence sparked travel warnings from the U.S. and British governments. London said it was advising against travel to the country and urged citizens there to remain indoors.
Robert Cooper, an adviser to Europe's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, said the security response from Bahraini forces was something even Western governments have a tough time coordinating.
"It's wrong to suggest that only violence has been from the police and the authorities," he was quoted by the BBC as saying. "Undoubtedly there has been violence by some demonstrators and the deaths of at least two policemen."
Bahraini security forces arrested several of the country's main opposition leaders last week after a crackdown on anti-government protests in Manama. At least six people were killed in the violence and security forces were reported to have taken over hospitals and medical centers in the country.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said she was deeply alarmed by the escalation of violence in the country.
"This is shocking and illegal conduct," she said in a statement.
