Manama, February 14 (RHC)-- The Bahraini regime has beefed up security measures as the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom braces for nationwide protest rallies to mark the third anniversary of the 2011 revolution.

According to reports, large numbers of security forces were deployed to several areas in the country on Friday ahead of the planned demonstrations. Bahrain’s main opposition group al-Wefaq has called for nationwide protests on Friday and Saturday to mark the third anniversary of the 2011 uprising against the ruling Al Khalifa regime.

On Thursday, Bahraini regime forces detained nearly 30 protesters in several villages around the capital, Manama, on charges of “rioting and vandalism.” Bahrain’s Interior Ministry has also threatened to take action against any calls for anti-regime protests and stepped up police patrols across the country.

Bahrain is a major U.S. ally in the region and its port hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.