Young protesters clashed with police forces in the Bahraini village of Nuwaidrat on Thursday, activists reported. The clashes broke out following a march in commemoration of Imam Hussein.

Tens of thousands of Shia Muslims across the world demonstrated on Thursday to mark the 40th day since the 'martyrdom' anniversary of the important Islamic figure.

Videos shared by activists in Nuwaidrat showed police forces firing tear gas and anti-government protesters hurling petrol bombs.

Hussein is highly regarded by Shia as a martyr because he refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph. He refused to pledge allegiance to what he considered the unjust rule of the Umayyads. As a consequence fearing bloodshed, he left his home town and heading for Kufa. On the way his caravan was intercepted and he was killed and beheaded in the Battle of Karbala in 680 by Shimr Ibn Thil-Jawshan. He is considered to have sacrificed his life for Islam.

The Shi'ite community, which constitutes the majority of the population, has been protesting for democratic reforms since February 2011 following successful uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

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.