Iraq: Protests Denouncing Election Results Clash with Security Forces 

Clashes broke out on Friday, in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, specifically in front of the Green Zone gate next to the Ministry of Planning, between demonstrators protesting the election results and the security forces.

Russia Today (RT) correspondent in Iraq reported that the sit-in against the election results is still going on in front of the Green Zone gate near the suspension bridge amid strict security measures.

In an attempt to disperse the demonstrators, the security forces fired bullets into the air, resulting in injuries to the demonstrators.

The Security Media Cell denied what was reported by some social media and media sites about the closure of the Al-Sinak and Al-Jumhuriya bridges in the capital, Baghdad, stressing that the two bridges are open to the traffic and citizens normally.

On the other hand, the Iraqi Ministry of Health announced that its bodies received 125 wounded people in clashes that took place today between demonstrators protesting the results of the recent elections, and the security forces.

A statement issued by the ministry confirmed that "health institutions in Baghdad received wounded from the clashes erupted between the security forces and demonstrators, a total of 125 wounded, including 27 civilians and the rest from the security forces.

The ministry's statement  added that  most of the injuries are mild to moderate, and no gunshot injuries were recorded, and no deaths were recorded."

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister of Iraq, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of Friday's events in various areas in the vicinity of the Green Zone, and to present the results of the investigation.

Al-Kazemi stressed that "the strict instructions issued to the security forces to handle professional   demonstrations, and that respect the basic human rights, especially the right to demonstrate and express  their opinion, as one of the basics that the government has committed to."

He called on the various political parties to calm down and resort to dialogue, appealing to the demonstrators to exercise their legitimate rights by "adopting peace and avoiding violence in any form, level, and means.