Bahrainis keep protests, several more injured

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have injured several anti-regime protesters in fresh clashes with the demonstrators in villages outside the capital Manama, according to Press TV. The scuffles broke out after a large crowd of Bahraini protesters held rallies to commemorate the death anniversary of activist Issa Ghanbar, who was executed over charges of killing a policeman back in 1996. Earlier on Sunday, the northwestern village of Diraz was also the scene of massive protests in support of detained human rights activists Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. The protesters demanded the release of al-Khawaja, who was given a life sentence in June last year. Bahraini demonstrators also took to the streets in several other villages across the country the same day. Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa claimed on March 20 that the “doors to dialogue were, and remain, open.” 79 people have been killed and many others injured or arrested during the continued anti-regime uprising in Bahrain, which began in February 2011. Bahraini protesters primarily demanded political reform, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.