Iraq security forces kill protesters with live rounds
November 4, 2019
Security forces in Baghdad opened fire on protesters who crossed a bridge over the Tigris River into a high-security area. The protests show no sign of stopping.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/A. al-Rubaye
Advertisement
Security forces in Iraq used live rounds, tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters in Baghdad on Monday, killing at least five people.
A member of the security forces was also among those killed and least 34 people were wounded in the violence, according to government and medical spokespeople.
Shots fired after entering the Green Zone
The live rounds were said to have been fired close to the offices of Iraq's state broadcaster after protesters crossed the Al-Ahrar Bridge over the Tigris River.
The bridge separates Baghdad from government buildings in the high-security area, the so-called Green Zone.
Iraqi law enforcement had "dealt with" a group of protesters who set fire to a restaurant, after crossing a main bridge over the Tigris, according to a spokesman for the prime minister. He did not elaborate.
At least 250 people have been killed in the anti-government protestsImage: Getty Images/AFP/A. al-Rubaye
Security and medical sources confirmed the number of dead, but could only confirm that one death was from live fire, according to the Reuters news agency.
How many people have been killed so far?
The deaths came after three protesters were killed on Sunday night during an attack on the Iranian Consulate in Karbala, in southern Iraq.
Conservative estimates put the total number of people killed in anti-government protests at 250 since the beginning of October.
Demonstrations were initially sparked by anger at Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi's government, which Iraqi citizens see as corrupt and tied to foreign governments.
Citizens are also unhappy about high unemployment rates and poor public services.
Protesters have revived chants popular during the Arab Spring protests of 2011, saying "the people want the fall of the regime."
Violence erupts during protests in Iraq
Iraqis ushered in October with anti-government protests in Baghdad. The intermittent violent confrontations have so far resulted in hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths. Unease remains in several cities.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. al Mohammedaw
Protests begin as civilians try to enter government property
On October 1, thousands of protesters took to the streets in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad to protest the government. Among their demands were reducing unemployment, providing better services and ending corruption. The demonstrations converged on the centrally located Tahrir Square. The protesters also tried to enter the fortified Green Zone, which houses embassies and government buildings.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/A. al Mohammedaw
Violent police crackdown
Security forces responded to the protesters attempt to enter the Green Zone by blocking roads and using tear gas, stun guns and water canons. After the demonstrators refused to leave, the forces opened fire with rubber bullets and with live fire. More than 200 were reportedly injured and one died. One other person died and dozens more were injured in related protests elsewhere in Iraq.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/K. Mohammed
Calls for restraint
The embattled Iraqi government has only been in power since October 2018. Following the protests, it increased security in Baghdad. Iraqi President Barham Saleh (pictured above in a photo from March 2019) urged "restraint and respect for the law." The UN's top official in Iraq also expressed "grave concern."
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/F. Belaid
More protests, more deaths
Protests continued despite the violence. On October 2, fresh demonstrations broke out in downtown Baghdad. Police, who were at the ready with armored vehicles and riot gear, responded with more live fire. By the end of the day, seven people were killed, bringing the total death count over the first two days of October to nine.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/H. Mizban
Protest multiply
The demonstrations and riots also spread from Baghdad to Iraq's south. In some places demonstrators set buildings on fire. Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi blamed the violence on "aggressors" and called an emergency national security meeting. While some politicians joined him in criticizing the protesters, others condemned the government's response.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/H. Mizban
More instability ahead
The government issued a curfew in Baghdad and three southern cities as standoffs continued nationwide, including at the airport outside the capital. By the end of October 3, at least 25 people had been killed. The border between Iraq and Iran was closed ahead of a religious pilgrimage to the Iraqi city of Karbala. Iran urged its citizens not to travel to Iraq; Bahrain issued a similar warning.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/H. Mizban
Anti-government blogger arrested
Come mid-October, determined protesters set fires and closed streets. Meanwhile, Shujaa al-Khafaji, an Iraqi blogger, had been detained, apparently over his coverage of the unrest. A relative of the outspoken writer, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said heavily armed masked gunmen snatched him from his apartment in a dawn raid.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/K. Mohammed
No end in sight as death toll rises
As the month neared its end, there was no conclusion to the angry protests. Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi promised reforms, but still civilians gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square waving Iraqi flags and chanting slogans demanding the resignation of the government. More deaths ensued as unrest escalated both in the capital and in the mainly Shiite-populated southern provinces.
