Bahraini forces break up demo, one protester injured

PressTV

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have clashed with anti-regime demonstrators in the north of the country and injured at least one protester, Press TV reports. The clashes broke out on Friday after Bahraini security forces fired tear gas and birdshot to disperse protesters who were holding a demonstration against the government’s plan to ban all political marches. Demonstrations were held in the villages of Diraz, Bilad al-Qadeem, and Musalla. In Diraz, the protesters called for the ouster of the Al Khalifa royal family. At least one protester was injured by birdshot fired by regime forces in Musalla. Since mid-February 2011, thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging regular demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates invaded the country to assist the Bahraini government in its crackdown on the peaceful protesters. According to local sources, scores of people have been killed and hundreds arrested in the crackdown. Physicians for Human Rights says doctors and nurses have been detained, tortured, or disappeared because they have "evidence of atrocities committed by the authorities, security forces, and riot police" in the crackdown on anti-government protesters.