Iraqi security forces open fire on protesters in Baghdad, killing at least five people - Reuters witness
Anti-government protesters stand on barriers set by Iraqi security forces to close a bridge leading to the Green Zone government areas during ongoing protests in Baghdad, Iraq, November 4, 2019.
Monday's deaths were in addition to three protesters killed late on Sunday when security forces who opened fire on a crowd trying to storm the Iranian consulate in the Shia Muslim holy city of Karbala, security and medical sources said. At least two people have been arrested and a third interrogated in Anbar province, a Sunni-majority desert region in the country's west, after Facebook posts.
Two of them were later released, while a fourth man had gone into hiding after being warned he was wanted for his Facebook posts.Shortly after protests first broke out, Iraqi authorities imposed a total internet blackout for about two weeks. Iraqi security officials said three protesters were shot and killed while 19 were wounded. Seven policemen were also wounded, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
The anti-government protests in Karbala, Baghdad and cities across southern Iraq have often turned violent, with security forces opening fire and protesters torching government buildings and headquarters of Iran-backed militias. Thousands of students have skipped classes to take part in the street rallies, blaming the political elite for widespread corruption, high unemployment and poor public services.Iraq's prime minister on Sunday called on anti-government protesters to reopen roads saying "it's time for life to return to normal," after a month of massive rallies demanding wide-ranging political change.
In his statement, Abdul Mahdi differentiated between peaceful protesters, who he said had turned the demonstrations into "popular festivals" that bring the nation together, and "outlaws" who he said had used the demonstrators as "human shields" while attacking security forces. The prime minister had met with top security officials late Saturday.Last week, President Barham Salih said Abdul Mahdi is willing to resign once political leaders agree on a replacement.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Will The Five-Hour Work Day Catch On In America?If you received the same compensation, vacation days and benefits with an abbreviated workday, how would you feel? Do you think that you could accomplish all of your work crammed into only five hours a day?
Read more »
Dem Rep. says impeachment transcripts likely coming 'within the next five days''I think you're going to see all of the transcripts that are going to be released probably within the next five days,' Rep. Jackie Speier told CBS.
Read more »
Airbnb bans 'party houses' after shooting at California Halloween party kills fiveAirbnb announced that it is banning 'party houses' after a shooting at a Halloween night bash in Northern California left 5 people dead and several others injured.
Read more »
Airbnb bans 'party houses' after five die in Halloween shootingThe short-term home rental service will now ban 'party houses' and step up its efforts against unauthorized parties, according to a series of tweets from Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. The new policies arrive on the heels of a deadly shooting at an Orinda, California home that was rented on the service.
Read more »
Five candidates to run in Algeria's presidential election next monthFive candidates will run in Algeria's presidential election next month, inc...
Read more »
Five Burning Questions: Billboard Staffers Discuss Selena Gomez's Resounding 'Lose You to Love Me' DebutWhat is the song's excellent performance due to? And does she already have another hit ready to go right after it? Billboard staffers debate this questions and more below.
Read more »