Iraqi security forces use live fire to break up protests in Green Zone

[Eugene]

Last edited Fri May 20, 2016, 02:37 PM - Edit history (2)

Source: Washington Post

BAGHDAD — Security forces used live ammunition and tear gas to push back protesters who broke into the fortified Green Zone on Friday, in a sharp escalation of unrest that has gripped the Iraqi capital.

Iraq’s military imposed a curfew across Baghdad after the protesters breached the secured area, which is home to the parliament and other government buildings. After protesters broke through — reaching the office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi — security forces could be seen advancing across the bridges that lead out of the Green Zone, and firing tear gas, though it was not clear whether they were aiming at the crowd.

Fadhil al-Ruwaili, a member of the health committee on Baghdad’s provincial council, said he didn’t have details on any deaths. Some of the protesters were injured with bullets and by inhaling tear gas, he said. Others were clubbed with batons.

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The protesters are largely supporters of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has ratcheted up political tension in the country by calling for a new technocratic government and urging his followers to the street. They managed to storm the Green Zone and ransack parliament late last month, but the incident was largely peaceful. However, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, fighting for political survival, had enacted new security measures in an attempt to not let them through again.

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iraqi-security-forces-use-tear-gas-as-protesters-try-to-storm-the-green-zone/2016/05/20/a56e98b6-1e96-11e6-82c2-a7dcb313287d_story.html

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By Loveday Morris May 20 at 2:20 PM


EDIT: Article updated at link.

Previous headlines at link:

• Iraqi security forces use tear gas as protesters try to storm the Green Zone

• Curfew imposed on Baghdad after fierce clashes with protesters in Green Zone

[annabanana]

1. "protesters"?

Since when are Iraqis "attempting to storm the fortified Green Zone" referred to as "protesters"?

What is it, the tea party or occupy?

[happyslug]

3. When they use or carry NO weapons.

The article is quite clear, the only weapons used were by security forces. The protesters just push through those forces into the Green Zone. The security forces are Shiites, as are the Protesters, thus the Security Forces didvnot want to shoot the protesters. There is a good possibility that the members of the Security Forces SUPPORT the Protesters. The leader of the Protesters is popular in Iraq, as had his Father been before Saddam killed his Father.

[christx30]

4. A thousand unarmed people

can cause as much death and destruction as a bunch of armed people.

[LS_Editor]

2. This is why "spreading democracy" is bullshit.

[Eugene]

5. Baghdad unrest: at least four anti-government protesters killed

Source: Reuters

Baghdad unrest: at least four anti-government protesters killed

Reuters in Baghdad
Saturday 21 May 2016 15.10 BST

At least four anti-government protesters have been killed and 90 injured as security forces ejected them from Baghdad’s heavily fortified green zone, according to medical sources.

Iraqi security forces had used live ammunition, rubber bullets, water cannon and tear gas on Friday to dislodge the demonstrators from the central district, which houses government buildings and many foreign embassies.

The toll, compiled from four hospitals where casualties were taken and Baghdad’s central morgue, accounts only for gunshot wounds and does not include potential cases of suffocation caused by tear gas.

Civilians have breached the Green Zone twice in three weeks, raising questions about the government’s ability to secure the capital, which has also seen a spike in bombings this month with responsibility claimed by Islamic State.

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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/21/baghdad-unrest-anti-government-protesters-killed-iraq-green-zone