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Clashes erupt in Bahrain after protester funeral

16 September 2011 20:02 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Security forces clashed with thousands of mourners and opposition factions Friday after the funeral march for a man whose relatives say died after inhaling tear gas fired at Shiite-led protesters in the Gulf kingdom, APA reports quoting Associated Press.

The skirmishes erupted shortly after mourners joined in anti-government chants that included cries for Bahrainâ€™s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to step aside after more than seven months of unrest on the strategic island, which is home to the U.S. Navyâ€™s 5th Fleet.

Tensions could further increase before next weekâ€™s elections to fill 18 seats in the 40-member parliament that were abandoned in a walkout by Shiite lawmakers to protest the sweeping crackdowns. Top Shiite political blocs have called for a boycott of the Sept. 24 voting.

Security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades and chased protesters along narrow streets of Shiite-populated neighborhoods in Sitra, Bahrainâ€™s oil hub.

Before the funeral, Bahrainâ€™s most senior Shiite cleric accused Sunni authorities of treating opponents as "enemies of state." Bahrainâ€™s rulers have taken some steps at outreach, including reconciliation talks in July, but they have failed to quell the opposition.

Shiites account for about 70 percent of Bahrainâ€™s population, but claim they face deep-rooted discrimination such as being blocked from key government and security posts. The Sunni dynasty, which has ruled for more than 200 years, has retained crucial support from the West and Gulf Arab neighbors. Among their fears is that Shiite powerhouse Iran could widen its influence with Shiite gains in Bahrain.

The funeral for 35-year-old Sayyed Jawad Ahmed was the latest rallying point for the opposition. The kingdomâ€™s health ministry confirmed the death in a statement Thursday, saying Ahmed died from "acute respiratory syndrome distress."

More than 30 people have died since February when protests started in Bahrain, inspired by other Arab uprisings.

Hundreds of activists have been detained and brought to trial on anti-state charges in a special security court set up after authorities imposed marital law and invited a Saudi-led Gulf military force in the country to help deal with dissent in the tiny island nation.

"The regime has designated the section of society asking for rights as enemies of state," Sheik Isa Qassim said during Fridayâ€™s sermon at a mosque in the opposition stronghold of Diraz, northwest of the capital Manama.

Bahrain lifted emergency rule in June. Since then, government opponents have clashed with police almost every night.