Six detainees have been injured at Guantanamo Bay in the most violent uprising since the prison began holding suspected al-Qaida and Taliban supporters four years ago.

Clashes broke out on Thursday night as 10 detainees wielding improvised weapons made from lights, fans and pieces of metal, fought with 10 US military guards, according to the Pentagon. The revolt was suppressed with “non-lethal force”, including rubber bullets and pepper spray. Six of the detainees were treated for minor injuries, while some of the guards suffered bruising.

The incident was the second organised protest by prisoners in less than a year, following last August’s mass hunger strike; it was seen by human rights activists as a sign of growing despair among the prison’s inmates.

According to Guantanamo Bay naval base commander Rear Admiral Harry Harris, the unrest began when guards were set upon as they came to the aid of a detainee pretending to hang himself in Camp 4, a medium security section of the base where prisoners live in groups of 10.

Earlier on Thursday, two other prisoners made suicide attempts by swallowing prescription medicine they had been hoarding. Military officers yesterday described them as stable but unconscious.
guardian.co.uk

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