Error occured during this request! Please try again later.
Iraq
Iraqi anti-government protesters gather at al-Sinek bridge in the capital Baghdad on January 25, 2020. Photo: Sabah Ararr/AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Forces deployed by the Iraqi government have so far regained control of four areas previously blocked by protesters, according to Rudaw reporters on the ground.
Rudaw's Baghad reporter Mustafa Goran said that Baghdad Operations has announced the re-opening of Ahrar Bridge, Wasba Square, Khalani Square and Mohammed Qassim highway in the city, key locations that have been the focus of protester blockades.
Live ammunition and tear gas were used at the scene, with the latter injuring some protesters.
Protester shows me bullet casings from live bullets fired on them in Wathba, says we will stay here to protect Tahrir square from the security forces #Baghdad pic.twitter.com/qgVWY4ugnU
— Pesha Magid (@PMagid) January 25, 2020
Security forces also tried to enter Tahrir Square but were confronted by protesters who burned tires to prevent the forces from advancing, Goran added.
Security forces forcibly dispersed protesters in the southern city of Basra on Friday, according to AFP.
Tents erected in Najaf and other cities across central and southern Iraq have been dismantled. Iraqi officials have been accused of burning tents at a protest camp in Basra last night.
Videos showing protesters' tents being burned in Baghdad have circulated on social media, with users accusing security forces of arson.
Anti-government demonstrations have been held nationwide since October, with Tahrir Square at the heart of the movement.
This is a developing story..
Updated at 4:04pm
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment