Bahrain Mirror: Violence and protests escalated in Bahrain on Wednesday (December 21, 2016) after clashes broke out between the regime forces and protestors outside the Shiite majority religious leader Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim's house.

Thousands of Bahraini staged protests in different villages, expressing their outrage at raiding Diraz, the hometown of Sheikh Qassim, after it was besieged for over 150 days by the security forces.

Various villages witnessed angry demonstrations in which protestors held photos for Sheikh Qassim and chanted slogans refusing attacking Sheikh Qassim's position and calling for the king's overthrow.

Forces clashed with protestors in some villages, fired shotguns and teargas canisters before protestors hurled stones against them.

Angry citizens blocked the public streets and burnt tires.

A large number of Sheikh Isa supporters headed to the protest square around his house in Diraz and reiterated chants stressing their readiness to defend him.

Arabic Version