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Iraq crisis: Green Zone protests end in violence | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Calm has been restored in Baghdad, hours after security forces opened fire to stop protesters storming the Green Zone, reportedly injuring dozens. | |
Tear gas and live bullets were fired to drive back the mainly Shia Muslim crowds, as they protested against corruption and security failures. | |
Officials imposed a curfew in the Iraqi capital, which has now been lifted. | |
It was the second time this month that protesters had managed to break into the city's government area. | It was the second time this month that protesters had managed to break into the city's government area. |
Shia Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr condemned the use of force, and voiced support for the demonstrators' "peaceful [and] spontaneous revolt". | |
At least 50 demonstrators are said to have been wounded. | At least 50 demonstrators are said to have been wounded. |
The protesters accuse the government of neglecting much-needed reforms, as it struggles with its campaign against the so-called Islamic State group (IS) and declining oil revenues. | The protesters accuse the government of neglecting much-needed reforms, as it struggles with its campaign against the so-called Islamic State group (IS) and declining oil revenues. |
The Sunni jihadist group controls parts of western and northern Iraq and has been behind a wave of recent attacks that have left dozens killed. | The Sunni jihadist group controls parts of western and northern Iraq and has been behind a wave of recent attacks that have left dozens killed. |
Some demonstrators managed to break into the prime minister's office and parliament. | Some demonstrators managed to break into the prime minister's office and parliament. |
Baghdad's Green Zone houses the parliament, key government buildings and many foreign embassies. | Baghdad's Green Zone houses the parliament, key government buildings and many foreign embassies. |
The authorities later said they had completely regained control of the area and the protesters had withdrawn. | The authorities later said they had completely regained control of the area and the protesters had withdrawn. |
Who is Moqtada Sadr? | Who is Moqtada Sadr? |
The Shia cleric and his militia group, the Mehdi Army, gained prominence after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. galvanising anti-US sentiment. | The Shia cleric and his militia group, the Mehdi Army, gained prominence after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. galvanising anti-US sentiment. |
Mr Sadr's followers clashed repeatedly with US forces, whose withdrawal the cleric consistently demanded. | Mr Sadr's followers clashed repeatedly with US forces, whose withdrawal the cleric consistently demanded. |
An arrest warrant was issued for Mr Sadr in 2004 in connection with the murder of a rival cleric. | An arrest warrant was issued for Mr Sadr in 2004 in connection with the murder of a rival cleric. |
His militia was also blamed for the torture and killing of thousands of Sunnis in the sectarian carnage of 2006 and 2007. Mr Sadr fled to Iran during that period. | His militia was also blamed for the torture and killing of thousands of Sunnis in the sectarian carnage of 2006 and 2007. Mr Sadr fled to Iran during that period. |
In 2011, Mr Sadr returned from his self-imposed exile to Iraq, taking a more conciliatory tone and calling for Iraqi unity and peace. | In 2011, Mr Sadr returned from his self-imposed exile to Iraq, taking a more conciliatory tone and calling for Iraqi unity and peace. |
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who came to power in 2014, has promised to stamp out corruption and ease sectarian tensions. | Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who came to power in 2014, has promised to stamp out corruption and ease sectarian tensions. |
He has been pressing for radical reforms and wants to form a government of technocrats, but has been blocked by lawmakers, the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad reports. | He has been pressing for radical reforms and wants to form a government of technocrats, but has been blocked by lawmakers, the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad reports. |
Parliament is so deeply split that it cannot hold a meeting because no side can gather a quorum, our correspondent adds. | Parliament is so deeply split that it cannot hold a meeting because no side can gather a quorum, our correspondent adds. |
Iraq's system of sharing government jobs has long been criticised for promoting unqualified candidates and encouraging corruption. | Iraq's system of sharing government jobs has long been criticised for promoting unqualified candidates and encouraging corruption. |
The government is carefully balanced between party and religious loyalties but the country ranks 161st of 168 on corruption watchdog Transparency International's corruption perceptions index. | The government is carefully balanced between party and religious loyalties but the country ranks 161st of 168 on corruption watchdog Transparency International's corruption perceptions index. |