Bahraini regime forces raid houses of anti-regime protesters, arrest 30

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Bahraini regime forces have raided the houses of anti-regime demonstrators in several villages, arresting more than 30 people.The Bahraini opposition group al-Wefaq said the regime forces raided dozens of houses in the country over the past 48 hours.A child is reportedly among those arrested by the Saudi-backed security forces.Bahraini forces frequently raid the houses of anti-regime protesters in the country.Bahrain has been hit by political turmoil since mid-February 2011, with protesters calling on the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.On July 5, thousands of protesters marched on the Budaiya Highway, west of the capital Manama, demanding the release of political prisoners.The demonstration, called by al-Wefaq, came a day after the party’s Secretary General Ali Salman said that Bahrain’s Interior Ministry had arrested more than 640 individuals on various charges during the last three months.At least 13 opposition leaders are held in prison for being involved in protests against the Bahraini regime.The regime’s courts have handed down life sentences to seven of the activists, including prominent activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. Others have received jail terms ranging from five to 15 years.Following the eruption of the protests, the Bahraini regime launched a brutal crackdown on the peaceful protests and called in Saudi-led Arab forces from neighboring states to assist the suppression.Dozens of Bahraini people have been killed in the crackdown, and the security forces have arrested hundreds, including doctors and nurses./129