Protesters have taken to the streets to mark the international event and have set fire to the Israeli flag

In defiance of a government ban on Quds Day rallies in Bahrain, protesters have taken to the streets to mark the international event and have set fire to the Israeli flag.

Witnesses say hundreds of Bahrainis took to the streets in the capital, Manama, and several villages to protest against the government ban on the anti-Israeli rally and show solidarity with Palestinians.

Protesters set fire to the Israeli flag and called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

This is the second consecutive year that Quds Day rallies have been banned in Bahrain. Anti-regime protesters say the Manama ban is due to the regime's fear that the gathering will turn into an anti-government demonstration.