Bahrainis have made contingency plans to leave the country amidst an increase in street violence. Some have already purchased property abroad, transferred money out of the country and have their plane tickets and passports ready for a fast exit.

It follows the launch of the Bahrain Fist Operation by February 14 Revolution supporters, which calls for increased measures to "forcibly" remove riot police from villages.

The group plans to supply rioters with information, weapons and create bullet-proof vests.

It said the operation would lead to a full-blown occupation of the former GCC (Pearl) Roundabout on February 14, which marks the anniversary of the uprising.

One Bahraini, who did not want to be named, said he had plans to move to Dubai because he did not want to live in an environment filled with violence.

"I have even booked my tickets and have my passport with me, just in case I need to go quickly, because February 14 is coming up and we don't know what will happen," he told our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News.

"I know people who bought houses in Saudi Arabia and Dubai and a lot of big families have transferred money."

He said citizens were being forced to leave their homes and jobs to move to other countries because the government had not taken strong actions.

"Some of my cousins work in the BDF (Bahrain Defence Force) and everyday they leave their houses and say goodbye to their mothers and children because they don't know if they will come back," said the Bahraini.

"The government is not taking strong action. They should stop people like (Al Wefaq National Islamic Society secretary-general) Ali Salman. The only solution to all these problems is for Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar to join together like the UAE and then as one force they can protect the whole Gulf from those behind these problems, which are Iran and Iraq."

Another Bahraini said her parents had contingency plans to move to Kuwait if the situation in the country deteriorates.

"The plan is not to emigrate but just to leave while problems are resolved," she said. "My mother has all the documents ready in a folder which literally says 'Plan B' and includes selling some of our property to survive in another country.

"I don't think she will ever take the step because no matter what Bahrain is our home and we could never live elsewhere. But I think to her it's just a way of immediately saving her family if things become worse."

Bahrainis said the escalating violence in the country has had a profound effect on their lives as many chose to stay home during the evenings to avoid confrontations. – TradeArabia News Service