The official crackdown of Ashura ceremonies in Bahrain incites the sectarian violence in the Gulf island, according to local human rights organizations.

The official crackdown of Ashura ceremonies in Bahrain incites the sectarian violence in the Gulf island, according to local human rights organizations.

"Since the beginning of Muharram, the regime forces launched provocative attacks against different neighborhoods, removing Ashura banners," a statement by the organizations read.

"This incitement aims at luring the Bahrainis to backlash."

The statement considered that these practices violate the religious freedom in Bahrain.

It also called on the US and the UK, the Bahraini regime allies, to exert pressure on it to halt these practices.