Bahrain takes action to restrict protests

Bahraini regime forces are resorting to several techniques to interrupt the momentum of anti-regime protests in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

According to opposition sources, more residential areas are being surrounded by concrete barriers and barbed wire fencing.

The sources said that the measures are taken as part of the regime’s campaign of repression on the ongoing peaceful demonstrations that have been calling for the immediate release of the country’s prominent opposition figure, Sheikh Ali Salman.

Salman has been in jail for more than 40 days over charges of inciting regime change.

Many other areas in the capital, Manama, as well as in other towns have been segregated by fences, sandbags and concrete barriers since last year.

Two months ago, Bahraini security forces put road blockades in the area of Dair in the Muharraq Governorate. They also installed barbed wire in a number of entries, including the main entry of the area.

Other areas like Duraz and Abu Saiba, west of Manama, have been surrounded with concrete barriers since June 2014.

The residents of Sitra Island are forced to pass through police checkpoints as the regime placed barbed wire and barriers around the area in April 2014.

The ruling Al Khalifa regime has launched a heavy-handed crackdown on the peaceful anti-government protests in Bahrain, which started in 2011.

However, demonstrators have promised to continue protesting until all their demands are met.

They are seeking the release of all political prisoners, the recognition of the Shia majority as well as a democratically elected government.