Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Iraq Protests Escalate, New Deaths, More Injuries Fall (Video)


Wed 02 Oct 2019 | 06:03 PM
H-Tayea

 

Two Protesters were killed and 82 others were injured on Wednesday during the wave of Iraq protests that started yesterday in a number of cities, including Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Diyala and Kirkuk.

https://youtu.be/Ua6rL-mb-c4

Protesters are still blocking the main road to Baghdad airport.

Some protesters are posting on Facebook that they are blocking the road to airport to prevent any official from fleeing.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1179419717955674113

International and local support

US Department of State has shortly announced that they are closely following up the development of demonstrations in Iraq, and calling on all parties in Iraq to stop the tension

https://twitter.com/i/status/1179420730443882496

Meanwhile, Iraqi National Security Council confirmed the right of citizens to express their demands, rejecting using acts of sabotage.

It added that all government efforts will be harnessed to meet demonstrators' demands

High alert

On the other hand, Iraqi government sources announced that all Iraqi forces are on high alert to counter the growing number of protesters using live bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Baghdad.

Hundreds of anti-riot forces deployed in Tahrir Square and main roads to prevent large protests.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1179421824775606272

Despite the massive security measures, hundreds of protesters continued to take to the streets, and set fire to tires and garbage containers, in addition to attempting to storm the local government building in Najaf City.

Iraq is now facing a new period of political instability that led the deterioration of economic and social conditions.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1179394506908672000

Demands of Protesters

The protests, organized on social media, started in Tahrir Square on Tuesday, initially driven by economy woes. They began peacefully, calling for an end to corruption, improved basic services and more jobs. But they soon turned violent after security forces fought back demonstrators with water cannons, tear gas and live ammunition.

The protests appear to be spontaneous and without political leadership, organized by people on social media against corruption and lack of basic services, such as electricity and water.