Manama: Demonstrators calling for reform clashed with police on Friday in Shiite villages near Manama ahead of an international forum on Middle East security, witnesses said.
Dozens of protesters, mostly youths, clashed with police in the villages of Sanabis, Deraz, Sitra and Diya, hurling stones and petrol bombs at the security forces, witnesses said.
The protesters also blocked roads with burning tyres, the witnesses said.
Police responded by firing tear gas and sound bombs to disperse them, they added. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Witnesses said the protesters held up pictures of jailed Shiite opposition leaders and banners carrying “messages” for top officials, including from Britain and the United States, due to attend the two-day Manama Dialogue forum that opens on Friday evening.
Witnesses said police beefed up security in Shiite villages ahead of the forum and set up checkpoints on roads leading to the hotel hosting the four-day conference in the Seef area near the capital.
Bahraini authorities have banned protests from taking place in Manama.
