LONDON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The British government said Thursday it was concerned by the potential for large-scale violence during demonstrations this week in Bahrain.
Bahrain marks Friday as a national day of solidarity with the Palestinian cause along with Iran and other regional countries. Commemorations, dubbed Quds Day, began in 1979 in Iran on the last Friday before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The British government said Thursday it was wary of the potential for violence in Bahrain during demonstrations Friday.
"Violent protests do pose a risk to those who might inadvertently find themselves in the vicinity of an active demonstration," the warning said.
Thursday's warning is the second such advisory issued by the British government about the potential for violence in Bahrain in less than a month.
A Shiite-led uprising in 2011 left dozens of people dead during a government crackdown. Human rights groups say the government is working to silence critics.
The government in Bahrain passed legislation Sunday imposing stiff penalties on those suspected of plotting terrorist attacks. The measure also places restrictions on protests in Manama, the nation's capital.
The British government said there were no direct threats issued against its citizens.
