The Al Khalifa regime's forces have vandalized the shrine of Sasaa Sohan al-Abdi, a companion of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), in the village of Askar on the southeastern coast of Bahrain.

According to reports, the building of the shrine has been damaged and its valuable items have been stolen. The security forces have attacked 38 religious sites since the anti-regime uprising began in 2011.

Bahrain's main opposition group, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, has condemned the regime's assault, saying that it shows the authorities' animosity toward the people.

The Bahraini security forces had earlier threatened the shrine’s caretaker, saying they would cut off his feet if he came to the holy site.

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of pro-democracy protesters have staged numerous demonstrations in the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.

On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - under the banner of the Peninsula Shield Force - invaded the country to assist the Bahraini government in its crackdown on the peaceful protesters.

According to local sources, scores of people have been killed and hundreds arrested.

Physicians for Human Rights says doctors and nurses have been detained, tortured, or disappeared because they have "evidence of atrocities committed by the authorities, security forces, and riot police" in the crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Bahraini political parties and young activists continue the protest rallies to defy regime-imposed restrictions and crackdown.

NTJ/BA