The Tamarod movement in Bahrain, named after Egypt’s Tamarod movement, has called for massive protests on Wednesday, August 14, 2013.

Al Khalifa regime’s security forces have blocked the roads leading to the Martyrs Square since Wednesday morning while helicopters constantly hover around different areas, al-Alam quoted Bahraini sources as saying on Wednesday.

Bahrain’s security forces have set up checkpoints at the entrances to different areas such as Sitra, al-Ikr, Nuwaidrat and have large presence in all areas; Riot police have also been deployed in main roads, Bahraini sources added.

The Internet has been cut off and there are no communications in some areas, the sources noted, saying that the Shia-populated areas were cordoned with barbed wire.

As the movement of the Bahraini people started, areas all over the small Persian Gulf Arab state especially northern and western areas have been paralyzed and most commercial centers and shops are closed.

All military and security forces of the Al Khalifa regime have been put on full alert and the government have called all employees to their work and cancelled all leaves, reports say.

The Bahraini uprising began in mid-February 2011 as a domino effect of the Islamic Awakening which took place in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

The Bahraini government promptly launched a brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests and called in Saudi-led Arab forces from neighboring states.

Dozens of people have been killed in the crackdown, and the security forces have arrested hundreds, including doctors and nurses.

Bahrainis say they will continue holding demonstrations until their demand for the establishment of a democratically elected government is met.

Some human rights groups have criticized the Bahraini regime for violation of international human rights codes in order to silence the opponents.

HH/HH