(CNN) -- Bahrain, the tiny Arab kingdom engulfed in strife between the Sunni government and the majority Shiite populace, has initiated court action to dissolve two opposition parties, a lawmaker told CNN on Thursday. The claim called for the dissolution of the Wefaq and Al-Amal movements, two Shiite groups in the forefront of recent protests against the Bahrain government, a key U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf. Abdul Khalil Jalil, a member of parliament from Wefaq, confirmed the development but didn't provide details. Bahrain, where the U.S. Navy anchors its Fifth Fleet, is a small predominantly Shiite country governed by a Sunni royal family.
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Two Shiite groups are targeted by the Sunni government
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It comes amid criticism of Bahrain over stiff crackdown
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Shiites in Bahrain have had longstanding grievances
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But some are now calling for the removal of the royal family, which has led the @placeholder state since the 18th century.
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Young members of the country's Shiite Muslim majority have staged protests in recent years to complain about discrimination, unemployment and corruption, issues they say the country's @placeholder rulers have done little to address.