TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Tens of thousands marched in Bahrain on Friday in the largest anti-government protest in months in the violence-gripped nation.



Sporadic clashes with security forces broke out as the demonstrators clogged a main highway, but the marches were mostly peaceful.

The rally was approved by Bahrain's rulers as part of efforts to reach out to the opposition, AP reported.

But many marchers appeared emboldened by US President Barack Obama's mention of tensions in Bahrain in his UN address earlier this week.

Bahrain, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, was rocked by massive popular protests in 2011. Although the government, backed by troop mainly from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, managed to suppress the protests very quickly, security forces continue to attack peaceful protesters who want an end to the rule of Al Khalife royal dynasty.

Dozens of protesters have been killed in Bahrain since anti-regime protests erupted in February 2011, according to the International Federation for Human Rights.

By Tasnim News Agency

 

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