Anti-government protesters in Bahrain have staged fresh rallies across the Persian Gulf kingdom, calling for freedom and democracy.

The demonstrations were held on Friday in several towns and villages, including Nuwaidrat, A’ali, Buri, Qadam, Abu Saiba, Ma’ameer, Shakhurah and Daih.

The protesters insisted on their demands for reforms and the release of all political prisoners. They also condemned the regime’s harsh crackdown on dissent.

Anti-regime protesters have been holding demonstrations on the streets of Bahrain since mid-February 2011, calling for the Al Khalifa ruling family to relinquish power.

Bahraini regime forces, backed by Saudi troops, have cracked down on the protesters, killing scores of them. A large number of Bahraini activists are also languishing behind bars.

Amnesty International and other rights groups have repeatedly censured the Bahraini regime for its human rights abuses against opposition activists and anti-government protesters.