Bahrain govt suspends reconciliation talks with Shiite majority indefinitely

Tension between Bahrain's Sunni and Shiite populations has risen since the onset of protests and police crackdowns in 2011. (AFP/File)

Bahrain announced late Wednesday that it has suspended reconciliation talks with the Shiite opposition majority amidst growing unrest, according to the Associated Press.

Bahrain's state News Agency made the announcement Wednesday, but Shiite opposition had previously suspended their own participation in the talks in September 2013 after the government detained a key opposition leader while the so-called "reconciliation" talks were in session.

Dialogue attempts have largely failed in the tiny Gulf Kingdom, and perhaps have rather heightened divides and tensions between the minority Sunni leadership and the Shiite opposition majority.

Uprisings in the kingdom began in early 2011 as the Shiite majority rallied for greater political and human rights under the oppressive Sunni leadership. At least 65 people have died in the unrest, but rights groups put the number at a significantly higher rate.

Western powers have largely turned a blind eye to Bahrain's internal politics, particularly the United States, due to their strategic interests and lucrative relationship with Manama