'Bahraini villages besieged by troops'

Bahraini security forces backed by troops from Saudi Arabia have put several villages near the capital city of Manama under siege.
Gunshots were also heard in the villages near Manama on Tuesday, a Press TV correspondent reported.Saudi-backed Bahraini forces fired tear gas in the village of Tashan on Tuesday.
On March 13, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar dispatched armed forces to the country to intensify crackdown on anti-government protesters.
At least 24 people have been killed and at least 1,000 others injured since riot police and troops initiated a second round of offensives against the protesters.
The security forces fired live ammunition during security sweeps on March 15, 16, and the subsequent days, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.
The latest victim of government violence in Bahrain was a 71-year-old man who died of asphyxiation from teargas used against demonstrators in the village of Ma'ameer on March 25.
Witnesses also told HRW that another two people have died of teargas inhalation after security forces attacked protesters at the Pearl Roundabout March 16.
Human Rights Watch, however, could not confirm the identities of the individuals.