A 16-year-old boy and a trooper were killed on Thursday — the second anniversary of the nation’s uprising that seeks a greater political voice in the affairs of the kingdom, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.
Bahrain's Shiites comprise about 70 per cent of the nation's more than 550,000 native-born population, but claim they face widespread discrimination and are blocked from key political and military roles. Nearly 60 people have died in the unrest. Some activist groups place the toll higher.
The protesters joined a peaceful march along a main highway linking the capital, Manama, with Shiite areas to the west. Breakaway groups, meanwhile, clashed with riot police in nearby neighbourhoods.
Main Shiite political groups opened talks this month with the regime and Sunni envoys to try to ease the crisis. Washington and other Western allies of Bahrain's rulers have applauded the effort. But some Shiite factions oppose the dialogue, noting that it will not weaken the Sunni dynasty's power.
Officials said trooper Mohammed Asif was fatally wounded from a "projectile" after attacks from demonstrators.
Meanwhile, a separate investigation is under way into the death of the teenager. Activists said he was killed on Thursday by police birdshot fire.