BAGHDAD—Relatives of Iraqi soldiers killed by the Islamic State (IS) in June stormed the parliament building in Baghdad today, demanding information on the fate of the victims.
“Shortly after the protesting began, the relatives entered the parliament building,” said Rudaw correspondent in Baghdad. “The members of parliament have been taken to a safe location.”
After defeating the Iraqi army in Mosul in June, Islamist militants overran Camp Speicher outside Tikrit where they claimed to have killed scores of pilots and military personnel.
It was later reported that the IS had killed 1,700 cadets.
According to our correspondent, 15 family members were allowed into parliament to meet with the MPs on behalf of around 1,000 angry protesters.
The families demand the Iraqi government to investigate the killing of their loved ones and find their whereabouts.
“They have gathered at the main gates of the Green Zone and shout slogans against Iraq’s leaders,” said our correspondent.
Salim Shushkayi, an MP from the Islamic League (Komal) said the security guards try to control the situation.
“The protesters number more than 1,000,” Shushkayi told Rudaw. “They wave black flags. They push towards the gates and refuse to listen to anyone.”
Iraqi politician and former MP, Mashan al-Jibouri revealed the names of the alleged IS perpetrators last week, among them Ibrahim Alsabawi, a nephew of Iraq’s former dictator Saddam Hussein.
