Bahrain experiences periodic unrest

Bahrain has experienced periodic unrest over the past several days in light of the recent arrests of Shiite activists. More than a dozen Shiites have been arrested on at least two occasions over the past week, prompting anger among the Shiite community. While authorities claim that those arrested had provided funds to, or otherwise supported, elements that are attempting to incite violence in the kingdom, critics claim that the arrests and subsequent crackdown against the Shiite population are politically motivated. There have been several protests in the Manama area in recent days, and disturbances have occurred near Shiite villages, during which protesters have set trash cans and other objects alight and/or have thrown Molotov cocktails.