According to the Islamic Wefaq Association, the regime troops on Monday used toxic gas canisters to disperse Shias mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his companions in the desert of Karbala in 7th century.

“In line with the systematic violations against religious freedom, annual Ashura manifestations were targeted by regime forces in Bahrain,” the association said in a statement on Monday.

The association added that a number of participants, especially the children, women and elderly, were suffocated during the attack on mourners in Ma’ameer area of the capital.

“The citizens were shocked by the unjustifiable and sudden attack. Eyewitnesses confirmed many cases of teargas suffocation among children and elderly people,” it said.

The association considered that these practices reveal that the regime does not respect the religious freedom.

"This is not the first time that the regime forces violate the sanctity of this occasion," it added.

“Many Ashura paintings, banners, symbols and displays have been deliberately vandalized. Such hostile behavior and provocative acts against the beliefs and rituals of the majority in Bahrain are completely unacceptable.”

BA/BA