Bahrain security tight before uprising anniversary

MANAMA, Bahrain — Bahrain has deployed thousands of security forces to confront anti-government protesters ahead of the one-year anniversary of their uprising in the Gulf kingdom.

Opposition groups urged marchers Sunday to stream toward a site dubbed "Freedom Square" outside the capital Manama.

Some activists seek to occupy the site before Tuesday's anniversary of the start of the wave of protests by the island's Shiite majority for greater political rights and freedoms.

Bahrain's ruling Sunni monarchy has warned it would not tolerate a spike in unrest to mark the anniversary. Sporadic clashes occurred Sunday with police firing tear gas.

Near daily street battles have flared for the past year in the strategic island, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.