Police forces clashed with protesters in the Bahrain Island of Sitra on Tuesday night, activists reported.

Three videos shared by an activist group showed protesters hurling petrol bombs at security forces, who fired tear gas and birdshot pellets, according to activists based in Sitra.

The clashes erupted after a peaceful gathering organized in support of political prisoner Hassan Mushaima. Mushaima was a founding member of the Al Wefaq society, the main imposition group in Bahrain. In June 2011, the opposition leader was sentenced to life in prison by a military court for attempting to "overthrow the monarchy".

In a statement announcing the ban on all opposition protests and public gatherings, Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said Bahraini authorities have tried to "protect freedom of expression by allowing rallies and gatherings, but that privilege has been abused repeatedly by organizers'€™ violations and the participants'€™ lack of commitment to the legal regulations."

The Gulf Arab state, which is ruled by a Sunni Muslim monarchy and hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet, has been in turmoil since activists mainly from the Shi'ite community began protests in February 2011, inspired by successful uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

The Shi'ite community, which constitutes the majority of the population, say they feel marginalized by the Sunni ruling family and demand democratic reforms.

According to activists, more than 80 people have died since the beginning of the uprising. This number cannot be verified as foreign media and rights organizations are regularly denied entry into the country.