This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/04/iraq-police-open-fire-protesters-baghdad-fourth-day-unrest

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Iraqi police open fire on protesters in Baghdad on fourth day of unrest Iraqi death toll rises as police open fire on protesters in Baghdad
(about 3 hours later)
Police have opened fire at a group of protesters in Baghdad on the fourth day of deadly anti-government unrest, as the prime minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, made vague pledges of reforms that are unlikely to placate Iraqis. The death toll from days of violent demonstrations across Iraq has risen to 44 as unrest rapidly spread across the country despite a plea for calm from the prime minister.
At least 27 people have been killed in violent demonstrations that have escalated by the day, sweeping across southern cities since they first erupted on Tuesday. In an overnight TV address, Adel Abdul-Mahdi said he understood the frustration of the public but there was no “magic solution” to Iraq’s problems. He pledged to make reforms, but this drew a scornful response from demonstrators.
The unrest, fuelled by anger over poor living standards and corruption, is the first major challenge for Abdul-Mahdi, who took office last year backed by Shia parties that have dominated Iraq since the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein. The violent protests have escalated by the day since they first erupted on Tuesday, sweeping across the country spontaneously without public backing from any organised political group and taking the authorities by surprise.
It also comes on the eve of the Arbaeen Shia pilgrimage, when as many as 20 million worshippers are expected to journey for days on foot across southern Iraq in the world’s biggest annual gathering. Security forces have fired live ammunition at crowds of mainly young men, and gunmen have occasionally fired back. Hundreds of people have been wounded, including members of the security forces as well as demonstrators.
The Iraqi capital was mostly quiet ahead before Friday prayers. As part of an ongoing curfew, defied by thousands of demonstrators on Thursday, army and special forces were deployed around central squares and streets. Police and medical sources told Reuters the death toll included 18 people killed in the southern city of Nassiriya, 16 in the capital, Baghdad, four in the southern city of Amara and four in Baquba, north of the capital. Other deaths were reported in two more southern cities, Hilla and Najaf.
Iraqis expect further large protests to erupt later in the day. Demonstrators have accused politicians of holding back Iraq’s recovery from years of conflict through corruption and neglect. Curfews were imposed in a number of cities. Authorities shut roads into the capital from the north and north-east and were sending reinforcements to Baghdad’s densely-populated east. Military convoys were being sent to Nassiriya, the city worst hit by the violence.
Abdul-Mahdi acknowledged the public discontent in an overnight television message, insisting politicians were aware of the suffering of the masses: “We do not live in ivory towers – we walk among you in the streets of Baghdad,” he said. Protesters in Baghdad gathered in darkness by a bonfire set among the flaming wreckage of an armoured vehicle, across the Tigris River from the government compound.
He called for calm and for support from lawmakers to reshuffle cabinet posts away from the influence of big parties and groups. He said a basic wage for poor families would be discussed by the government, but that there were no “magic solutions”.
On the streets of Baghdad overnight, protesters gathered by a bonfire at the flaming wreckage of an armoured vehicle, across the Tigris River from the government compound.
“They are shooting live fire at the Iraqi people and the revolutionaries. We can cross the bridge and take them out of the Green Zone!” a man shouted to Reuters TV.“They are shooting live fire at the Iraqi people and the revolutionaries. We can cross the bridge and take them out of the Green Zone!” a man shouted to Reuters TV.
“Abdul-Mahdi, they will cross the bridge. You better resign. Resign. The people demand the fall of the regime!” he shouted as the crowd behind him took up a chant that swept the Middle East during popular uprisings across the region in 2011: “The people demand the fall of the regime!” The unrest, fuelled by popular rage over poor living standards and corruption, is Iraq’s biggest security challenge since the defeat of Islamic State in 2017. It is also the first test for Abdul-Mahdi, installed last year by Shia parties that have dominated Iraq since the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein.
It comes on the eve of the Arbaeen Shia pilgrimage, which in recent years has drawn as many as 20 million worshippers, trekking for days on foot across southern Iraq in the world’s biggest annual gathering, 10 times the size of the Mecca Hajj.
Baghdad was quieter early on Friday ahead of Muslim prayers, although police fired live ammunition again in the morning to disperse small crowds. As well as the ongoing curfew, defied by thousands of demonstrators on Thursday, army and special forces were deployed around central squares and streets.
Iraqis expect large protests to erupt later in the day, with demonstrators accusing politicians of holding back Iraq’s recovery from years of conflict through corruption and neglect.
Abdul-Mahdi acknowledged the public discontent in an overnight television message, insisting politicians were aware of the suffering of the masses: “We do not live in ivory towers – we walk among you in the streets of Baghdad,” he said.
He called for calm and for support from lawmakers to reshuffle cabinet posts away from the influence of big parties and groups. He said a basic wage for poor families would be discussed by the government, but said there were no “magic solutions”.
Other politicians were awaiting a pronouncement from Iraq’s most senior Shia clergy, expected as part of Friday sermons. The protests could grow if they receive formal backing from the opposition political bloc of the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has long denounced corruption and the political elite.
'Iraq is dying': oil flows freely but corruption fuels growing anger'Iraq is dying': oil flows freely but corruption fuels growing anger
Two years after the defeat of the Islamic State militant movement, Iraq has finally been at peace and free to trade for the first extended period since the 1970s. Oil production is at record levels providing windfall income for Baghdad. Yet after decades of war and sanctions, infrastructure is still decrepit, cities are in ruins and there are few employment opportunities for a population of 40 million. Two years after the defeat of the Islamic State Sunni militant movement, Iraq has finally been at peace and free to trade for the first extended period since the 1970s. Oil production is at record levels providing windfall income for Baghdad. Yet after decades of war and sanctions, its infrastructure is still decrepit, cities are in ruins and there are few employment opportunities for a population of 40 million.
Protesters say funds are being siphoned off by political parties who have a firm grip on power in Baghdad.Protesters say funds are being siphoned off by political parties who have a firm grip on power in Baghdad.
They clashed with security forces in mass demonstrations that began in Baghdad on Tuesday and spread to cities in the southern Shia heartland. Hundreds of people have been wounded as security forces opened fire to disperse the crowds, and demonstrators in some areas have shot back.
IraqIraq
ProtestProtest
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content