Saudi Arabia has reportedly sent more troops to Bahrain to help the Manama regime quash upcoming protests in the small Persian Gulf sheikhdom. http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=240062

Saudi tanks and armored vehicles have entered Bahrain through King Fahd bridge, which connects the country to Saudi Arabia.The latest development comes as Bahraini demonstrators plan to hold mass anti-regime protests on Friday, which they have dubbed "The Day of Sacred Defense." On March 13, Saudi-led forces were first dispatched to the Persian Gulf island nation upon Manama's request to quell countrywide protests. Manama regime has intensified its crackdown on the popular revolution that has been continuing since Mid-February against the decades-long ruling of al-Khalifa dynasty in the country. 

On Thursday, Jawad Firouz, a former Bahraini lawmaker and member of the country's main opposition group died in a hospital after being held in custody of the ruling regime. The news comes as human rights organizations have strongly criticized Saudi-backed Bahrain forces for their heavy-handed crackdown on peaceful protesters. According to local sources, dozens of people have been killed and hundreds arrested so far during the government clampdown on peaceful protests.  Bahrain is also home to major military base of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.