Hundreds turned out in two Saudi Arabian cities Friday to protest on what had been billed as a "day of rage," according to activists, though a planned demonstration in the Middle Eastern nation's capital failed to materialize. The protests -- both made up largely of Shiite Muslims calling for the release of Shiite prisoners -- occurred despite a Saudi government ban on all kinds of public demonstrations. Demonstrators  in Hofuf, a city about 300 kilometers (185 miles) east of the Saudi  capital of Riyadh, began their march after Friday prayers, two activists told CNN . They asked not to be identified because of security concerns and  fear of reprisals. Three demonstrators were arrested by Saudi security forces, the activists said. The streets of Qatif, a predominantly Shiite city in eastern Saudi Arabia where several protests have taken place in recent days, were quiet early Friday. Ibrahim  al-Mugaiteeb, a Saudi human rights activist, told CNN that he saw "no people in the streets and virtually no security presence." But by Friday night, about 200 people were out demonstrating near Qatif, according to a Shiite activist. Saudi security forces were out and observed them, but there were no apparent arrests as the march ended peacefully. In the Saudi capital, Mohammed al-Qahtani, who heads the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, told CNN that authorities had set up checkpoints on roads leading to the planned staging ground north of Riyadh near a courthouse. "So far, I'm seeing no protesters out there," he said earlier Friday. These demonstrations came a day after more than 100 people had gathered in Qatif, according to two witnesses and an activist. At some point, the witnesses said, Saudi security forces shot to disperse the crowd. It was unknown if the forces fired rubber bullets or more lethal ammunition. Those injured were taken to Qatif Central Hospital for treatment, the activist and witnesses said. A human rights group in Saudi Arabia condemned the action, calling the use of force by police "deplorable." "(The group) condemns, with the loudest and clearest words, the use of all kinds of force to disperse demonstrators particularly when live ammunition was used last night against the demonstrators in Qatif," the Human Rights First Society said in a statement released Friday. Last  week, about 24 protesters were detained in Qatif as they denounced "the  prolonged detention" of nine Shiite prisoners held without trial for  more than 14 years, Amnesty International said. The protests in Saudi Arabia come as unrest brews in parts of the Middle East and North Africa and has caused major changes in places like Egypt and Tunisia. Some in the majority Sunni kingdom have followed similar demands across the Arab world for more freedom and democracy. Still, one expert said he would be surprised if the demonstrations gained traction among the Saudi majority, noting that there does not appear to a high level of animosity toward the nation's rulers as there are in other countries. "The big difference is that people in Saudi Arabia don't want a revolution  to happen -- they just want more reforms and liberalization," said Christopher Boucek, a Saudi expert with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank. "I really think the  vast majority of the people there, no matter what they think of the government,  they probably like the King," he added. "King Abdullah is still very popular." CNN's Elise Labott contributed to this report.

Write highlights.
NEW: Scores of people protest in Hofuf and 3 are arrested, two activists say. NEW: Another protest takes place in the eastern city of Qatif, an activist says. The protests came a day after three people were hurt in other demonstrations. An analyst says the Saudi king is still popular and he doesn't expect a revolt.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has a message for foreign diplomats as a political division deepens in the government: Be careful. "Over the last couple days, ambassadors have been doing some provocative things," Erdogan said in a speech in Samsun on Saturday. He didn't specify who or what, but the statement comes amid a deepening crisis spurred by a wide-ranging corruption investigation that has led to the detention of dozens. Raids have swept up the sons of several government ministers and others with powerful connections. The detentions have sparked a strong response from Erdogan, who labeled them "a very, very dirty operation." Erdogan's comments come amid a growing rivalry between his ruling party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), and The Gulen, an Islamist movement believed to control portions of the judiciary and the police. The Prime Minister hasn't said specifically who he thinks bears responsibility, but he's pointed a finger at "enthusiasts and planners abroad."  Those responsible are uncomfortable with the ruling AK Party but, also, he said, with Turkey itself "gaining power." While Erdogan's comments have contained few specifics, his was pointed in spelling out the consequences for the "provocative" behavior of unnamed ambassadors. "If you go outside the scope of your jobs," he warned, "we are not obligated to keep you in our country." The U.S. Embassy, in response to the turmoil, tweeted: "The US has no involvement in the ongoing corruption operation." The embassy added, via Twitter, that it is committed to "friendship and cooperation" between the two countries. Politics may underlie raids. The Gulen, or Hizmet movement, is led by Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic cleric in self imposed exile in Pennsylvania. Gulen denied any involvement in the raids through a letter released by his legal representative in Turkey. "The esteemed Fethullah Gulen has neither the smallest interest or concern for these investigations and the public servants who are carrying them out," said a statement issued by Gulen's lawyer on Thursday. The Hizmet movement, the name preferred by Gulen's followers, has in the past thrown its support behind Erdogan's AKP. Over the last month, though, the two have been publicly at odds. "It was a forced marriage and now it's an ugly divorce," said Ahmet Sik, a journalist who wrote a book on Gulen and his influence within the judiciary and the police force. Growing tensions. Last month, Erdogan announced that he would shut down college admission tutorial centers,  a big hit for the Gulenists who use the centers for revenue and recruitment. The move sparked a high-profile resignation. Hakan Sukur, an ex-footballer and Gulen follower, elected on the AKP party ticket to parliament resigned from the ruling party. "This is all a judicial process, it would not be right for me to say anything until the outcome," Erdogan told reporters in the central city of Konya. But in a fiery speech he delivered he said, "Those who are receiving the support of financial circles and media cannot change the direction of this country. Those who are supported by dark circles from inside and outside the country cannot change the direction of Turkey." Turkey is expected to hold local elections next year, and many analysts see the raids as a test of Erdogan's grip on power, especially after a turbulent year of unprecedented anti-government protests. Gulen posted a video on his website accusing the government of ignoring real issues. "Those who don't see the thief but go after those trying to catch the thief, who don't see the murder but try to defame others by accusing innocent people then may God bring fire to their houses," he said in the video.

Write highlights.

Rhetoric around raids heats up. Analysts say the detentions indicate test of Erdogan power. Erdogan: Those supported by "dark circles" cannot change direction of Turkey.