The rally aims at breaking al-Eker siege and expressing solidarity with its residents, opposition activists said.

Al-Eker has been under Manama regime’s siege since October 18 after a policeman was killed in a roadside bombing in the village. Activists say the regime forces have imposed strict security measures on al-Eker and have denied the town medical aid and food supplies since then. Security forces have also prevented activists and doctors from entering the village.

Ten opposition groups and NGOs have reportedly sent a message to United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon to urge him to intervene and “lift the siege on al-Eker.”

Al Wefaq has been pushing for a week to hold a rally in al-Eker, but on Saturday, Bahrain’s security authorities denied the opposition group permission to hold a mass rally in Eker.

Bahrain, which is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has been the scene of anti-regime protests since February 2011 and scores of people have been killed and hundreds more injured in the regime crackdown. Many others, including opposition leaders and human rights activists, were also given long jail terms as part of the crackdown.

Bahrainis hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the death and arrest of the protesters. They have vowed to continue their protests rallies until their demands for an elected government and an end to rights violations are met.

HM/PKH/AZ