In Bahrain, anti-regime demonstrators have reportedly taken to the streets of the Persian Gulf kingdom, calling on the ruling Al Khalifa regime to relinquish power.

According to reports, the Bahraini demonstrators held an anti-regime protest rally in the northwestern village of Bani Jamra.

Reports say similar gatherings were also held in the village of Maqaba, located north of the capital, Manama.

Earlier this month, Bahrainis held protests across the country, calling for the boycott of upcoming general elections scheduled to take place next month.

Bahrain’s main opposition party al-Wefaq National Islamic Society has said the upcoming vote will be undemocratic and will only give credit to the Al Khalifa rule.

The election will be the first since protests started in Bahrain in 2011.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of protesters have held numerous demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling on the Al Khalifa royal family to step down from power.

The protesters have also slammed the Manama regime’s arrest and torture of the political activists, demanding their release.

In March 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to Bahrain to help Manama quash the anti-regime protests.

Many Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.

SZH/MKA/KA