Bahraini security forces have once again used tear-gas on peaceful protesters in the country’s capital, Manama. While the mainstream media remains silent, Bahrain’s government has been suppressing anti-regime demonstrations for over a year now.
A video posted on YouTube on Thursday shows security forces using tear-gas against people quietly strolling in the Bilad Al Qadeem district of Manama. There have been no reports of injuries or casualties.The incident continues a week of violent government crackdowns on protesters. On Tuesday night security forces attacked protesters in the villages of Sitra and Dair using tear-gas and rubber bullets, Press TV reported. Earlier on Monday, Bahraini forces suppressed an anti-regime demonstration in the capital, using the same set of non-lethal weaponry.The protests against the Al Khalifa family, who have ruled Bahrain for two centuries, began in February 2011 as the Arab Spring revolutions swept across the region. Around 70 per cent of Bahrain’s population are Shiites, while the ruling family are Sunni Muslims. This fact adds sectarian divisions to the unrest. Protesters are also demanding the release of political prisoners who were sentenced to life in jail.The UN estimates that over 50 people have been killed as a result of police brutality during anti-regime protests since the beginning of the uprising last year.