Bahraini women die amid crackdown

At least two Bahraini women have died as a result of a crackdown on the opposition as thugs backed by Saudi forces stormed the village of Karzakan following the country-wide protests.

Azizeh Hassan died in her home after pro-regime thugs stormed houses in Bilad al-Qadim district, a Press TV correspondent reported on Saturday.

Moreover, a female teenager died a month after she was attacked by pro-regime thugs in Manama. Jawaher Abdul-Amir Kuwaitan was in a coma at the capital's al-Salmaniyah Hospital.

A number of rallies were held in cities and villages across the country, including in A'ali, Diraz, Karzakan and Bani Jamarah, on Friday.

Meanwhile, Al Khalifa loyalists backed by Saudi forces poured into the streets of Karzakan, terrorizing and damaging properties.

Security forces have stepped up their crackdown on the opposition, with over 800 people now being arrested.

According to the opposition Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights and the al-Wefaq party, the prominent human rights lawyer Mohammed al-Tajer was arrested on Saturday night during a raid on his house.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights in Manama has said that those detained by government forces undergo torture. The group has also cited incidences of families receiving the bodies of those who died in custody with bruising and lashing marks.

Since the beginning of anti-government protests on February 14, scores of protesters have been killed and many others gone missing. Many of the families believe those arrested are most likely being detained at the Sheikh Isa military base.

Most Bahraini media outlets have been blocked and mosques demolished by the government. Additionally, doctors and others who help the injured protesters have been targeted in arrests.

Bahraini protesters are demanding an end to the 200-year rule of the Al Khalifa dynasty.