Saudi-backed forces, mourners clash in Bahrain

Heavy clashes have reportedly erupted between anti-regime protesters and Saudi-backed security forces in the Bahraini village of Daih.

Protesters clashed with security forces, as they were moving towards Manama’s Pearl Square, also known as Martyr Square, the birthplace of the popular uprising that began two years ago.

Security forces fired tear gas and gunshots to break up the rally, which was also held to commemorate Qasim Habib Ja’far, an eight-year old boy who lost his life after inhaling tear gas fired by the Al Khalifa regime forces a few days ago.

Over the past months, a number of Bahrainis, including children, have died due to the inhalation of poisonous tear gas fired by Bahraini forces.

Last year, Amnesty International warned about the Bahraini regime’s misuse of tear gas against protesters and called for an investigation into the tear gas-related deaths.

Bahrainis have been staging demonstrations since mid-February 2011, demanding political reform and a constitutional monarchy, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.

The Manama regime has arrested many rights activists, doctors and nurses since the uprising began.

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