DHAKA: Pro-democracy demonstrators clashed with police in Bahrain on Thursday as they marked the third anniversary of an Arab Spring-inspired protest movement that was quelled with the help of GCC troops, witnesses said.

It was the first of three days of protests called by the Shia-led opposition to mark Friday’s anniversary as they seek to give new momentum to their campaign for a constitutional monarchy in the Gulf state.

Clouds of tear gas billowed from the streets of several villages outside the capital Manama as security forces attempted to dismantle roadblocks of burning tyres, the witnesses said.

The opposition has been demanding an elected government.

The protesters defied a heavy security presence to set up makeshift roadblocks of felled trees and burning tyres in several villages, where persistent demonstrations have sparked repeated clashes with police.

The interior ministry said police ‘confronted groups of vandals and cleared blocked roads’.

The main Shia opposition party Al Wefaq, which has boycotted parliament since the unrest, posted images of protesters being tear-gassed and police in riot gear patrolling deserted streets.

Al Wefaq said several areas observed a complete shutdown following its call for a strike on Thursday, the last day of the working week in Bahrain, ahead of a mass rally on Saturday, reports gulfnews.com.

BDST: 2016 HRS, FEB 13, 2014