Bahrainis hold impromptu overnight protests

Bahrainis have staged impromptu protests overnight to demand the release of political prisoners amid the ongoing violent crackdown by regime forces.

The protests were held in several towns and villages across the kingdom on Friday night. Demonstrators also demanded the downfall of the Al Khalifa regime.

On Thursday, Bahraini women staged an anti-regime protest in the village of Mahaza in solidarity with jailed female activists.

Opposition rallies have continued in Bahrain in defiance of a government ban on public gatherings. The government’s harsh crackdown on demonstrations has failed to keep protesters off the streets.

Since a popular uprising began in Bahrain in mid-February 2011, scores have been killed, many of them under torture while in custody, and thousands more detained.

Bahraini authorities have also sacked hundreds of people from their jobs for taking part in peaceful anti-regime demonstrations.

A report published by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in November 2011 found that the Al Khalifa regime had used excessive force in the crackdown on protests, criticizing Manama for torturing political activists, politicians, and protesters.

Bahrainis say they will continue to hold anti-regime demonstrations until their demands for the establishment of a democratically-elected government and an end to rights violations are met.