They came prepared.

Anti-government protesters in the Bahraini village of Diraz clashed with riot police Thursday.

The clashes, west of the capital Manama, reportedly erupted after a mourning procession for a man who died earlier in the week, although details remain unclear.

Commercial shops in the area closed after protest organisers gave them advance notice of the demonstration.

Protesters used makeshift nail guns made out of fire extinguishers.

Both sides also exchanged tear gas and molotov cocktails in a skirmish along a main street in the village.

One policeman was reportedly hurt.

Bahrain has been in turmoil since pro-democracy unrest erupted in 2011, inspired by revolts in Egypt and Tunisia.

The protests are led mainly by Shi'ite Muslim groups demanding political reforms and equality with the Sunni Muslim minority.