The U.S. State Department says it is moving American embassy employees to safer locations in Bahrain after ongoing political unrest elevated security worries in the strategic Gulf kingdom.

According to AP, the statement issued late Monday, Jan 23, says frequent clashes along a main highway in Manama have forced people to remain indoors and have disrupted travel. It says embassy staff and their families are being shifted to other neighborhoods to avoid the violence, which often includes tear gas and stun grenades from security forces.

Bahrain's majority Shiites began an uprising nearly a year ago to demand greater rights from the Western-allied Sunni monarchy.