Anti-government protesters holding Bahraini flags march along the streets of the village of Saar during an anti-government protest, west of Manama, August 14, 2013 (Reuters / Hamad I Mohammed)

Police have reportedly used tear gas to contain long-planned protests in the Gulf State of Bahrain. The country’s Shi’ite majority is demanding a greater say in the political decisions of the Sunni-ruled country.

The long-planned protests mark two-and-a-half years since the unsuccessful uprising in the oil-rich state during which protesters called for the abdication of King Hamad, who has been in power since 1999.

Throngs walked through capital Manama shouting “Democracy! Democracy!”, as police erected barriers and checkpoints through many of the main streets.

Despite government threats to use force ahead of what they claim to be foreign-backed “riots” many in the villages outside Manama protested by organizing sit-ins outside their houses. Eyewitnesses say police have cordoned off some Shi’ite villages and forced the demonstrators inside their houses.

No casualties have been reported so far.