Manama: Inspired by the movement behind Egypt`s military coup, Shiite activists seeking more influence in Bahrain are hoping to gain new momentum by calling for nationwide protests on Wednesday.
Authorities warned they will "forcefully confront" any large demonstrations, raising fears of more violence in the strategic Gulf kingdom.
Concrete barriers lined major streets in the capital, Manama, and security checkpoints surrounded by barbed wire guarded roads leading to the city from majority Shiite neighbourhoods that house many of the protesters.
And hundreds of security forces in riot gear stood guard near armored personnel carriers around what used to be Pearl Square, the epicenter of weeks of anti-government rallies that were met with a crackdown in 2011.
"Based on what we are following in the field, the government violence against protesters is inevitable," said Hussain Yousif, a spokesman for the group organising the rallies. "But we need to go ahead and show the world and the government that the Bahraini people have the right to express their political demands."
The island nation with a native population of more than 550,000 has been gripped by near nonstop turmoil and increasingly divided along sectarian lines since February 2011, when Shiites inspired by the Arab Spring wave of revolutions began an uprising calling for a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled country.
At least 60 people have died -- activists and Shiite leaders say more than 100 -- and prominent opposition and human rights figures have been jailed in the nation, which is home to the US Navy`s 5th Fleet, the Pentagon`s main base to counter Iran`s expanding military presence in the Gulf and protect oil shipping lanes through the Gulf of Hormuz.
Clashes have eased in recent months and Bahrain`s leaders have made noticeable reforms along the way, including giving the elected parliament more oversight powers and pledging deeper investigations into alleged abuses by security forces.
Although tangible concessions, they are dismissed by many Shiites as mere window dressing that still leaves the monarchy in control of all key posts and decisions, and the crackdown continued.
A group that has adopted the name of the Egyptian movement that paved the way for the military ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi hopes to stage nonviolent protests in nine areas of the country, with the largest expected in Manama, in a new push to persuade the government to grant greater political freedom in the country and to enact a new constitution.
PTI
