Bahrain regime forces attack protesters in Abu Saiba

Bahraini police have clashed with anti-regime protesters during demonstrations against the dissolution of a popular Shia clerical council.

Regime forces on Friday used tear gas to disperse protesters in the village of Abu Saiba, west of the capital, Manama.

Earlier in the day, a major demonstration was held to condemn a controversial ruling by a Bahraini court that disbanded the Islamic Scholars Council of Bahrain.

The verdict against the clerical body came in a lawsuit filed by Bahrain’s Justice Ministry, which accused the organization of ‘promoting sectarianism.’

Human rights groups say it was part of efforts by the Al Khalifa regime to silence the voice of dissent.

Following the court ruling, Bahrain’s main opposition movement, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, also censured the move and stated the “regime has declared war on Shias.”

Since 2011, anti-regime demonstrations have been held almost every day in Bahrain.

On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were called in to assist the Bahraini regime in its crackdown on peaceful protesters. According to local sources, scores of people have been killed and hundreds arrested.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly slammed the Manama regime for the excessive use of force against peaceful protests.