Iraqi protesters seize key square in Baghdad
5 years, 1 month ago

Iraqi protesters seize key square in Baghdad

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Anti-government protesters seized control of a strategic square in central Baghdad on Saturday, as they inched closer toward their goal of reaching the heavily fortified Green Zone, the seat of government, after days of violent clashes with security forces. Iraqi security forces withdrew from Khilani Square and part of Sinak Bridge on Saturday, after firing live rounds and heavy tear gas the previous day against protesters trying to tear down a concrete barrier blocking entry to the square. Security forces kept control over part of the Sinak Bridge and erected new concrete barriers to block protesters from pushing into the Green Zone, which houses Parliament and many foreign embassies. Protesters took control of a five-story parking garage adjacent to the bridge, giving them a bird’s eye view over the Green Zone and the street below, mirroring tactics employed in Tahrir Square, where they occupied an iconic 14-story Saddam Hussein-era building that has become a reference point for demonstrators.

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History of this topic

Thousands in Iraq demand regime change after Shia factions clash
2 years, 4 months ago

Thousands in Iraq demand regime change after Shia factions clash

Al Jazeera  

Protesters affiliated with the 2019 protest movement are demanding political change after deadly clashes between the main Shia factions. “Protesters say they took to the streets today to demand the removal of all the political elite, whom they accuse of corruption,” Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed said from Baghdad. Friday’s mobilisation follows nearly 11 months of paralysis that has left the …

Photos: Fighting between rival Iraqi forces erupts in Baghdad
2 years, 4 months ago

Photos: Fighting between rival Iraqi forces erupts in Baghdad

Al Jazeera  

Fighting between rival Iraqi forces is raging for a second day, with rocket fire echoing from Baghdad’s Green Zone – where 30 people have been killed, according to medical sources. The violence began after powerful Shia religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr announced on Monday that he would resign from Iraqi politics, prompting hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government …

Iraqi capital Baghdad wakes up to gunfire after night of violence
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi capital Baghdad wakes up to gunfire after night of violence

Al Jazeera  

Violence has left at least 30 dead, as fighting between supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr and his rivals continues. Fighting has continued in the Iraqi capital between supporters of Shia religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr and his Iran-backed opponents, as well as Iraqi security forces, killing at least 30 people. “We have been hearing sounds of gunfire overnight, medium and light weapons …

Tensions soar as rival protests take place near Iraqi parliament
2 years, 5 months ago

Tensions soar as rival protests take place near Iraqi parliament

Al Jazeera  

Thousands of al-Sadr supporters resume their sit-in inside parliament in Baghdad’s Green Zone as counter-demonstrations take place nearby. The Iraqi parliament sits in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone – also home to government buildings and embassies – which al-Sadr supporters stormed with ease twice last week as security forces stood back. Al Jazeera’s Dorsa Jabbari, reporting from inside the Green Zone, …

Iraqi protesters storm the parliament in Baghdad’s Green Zone
2 years, 5 months ago

Iraqi protesters storm the parliament in Baghdad’s Green Zone

Al Jazeera  

Hundreds of the demonstrators, mostly supporters of Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, break into the heavily fortified Green Zone in protest at a rival bloc’s nomination for prime minister. Hundreds of Iraqi demonstrators, most of them followers of the Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, have stormed the parliament building in Baghdad to protest against the nomination for prime minister by …

Baghdad's Green Zone targeted by two rockets, C-RAM defense system activated, says Iraqi army
3 years ago

Baghdad's Green Zone targeted by two rockets, C-RAM defense system activated, says Iraqi army

Firstpost  

There were no immediate reports of casualties and no group has yet taken responsibility for the rocket attack Baghdad: Two rockets were fired towards the Green Zone in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, media reported in the early hours of Sunday. The Jerusalem Post said citing Iraq’s Security Media Cell that the US-installed C-RAM defense system was activated to intercept the rockets …

Rockets fired at Baghdad’s Green Zone: Iraqi military
3 years ago

Rockets fired at Baghdad’s Green Zone: Iraqi military

Al Jazeera  

One rocket destroyed by air defence sysem and another landed near a national monument, damaging two cars, Iraq’s military says. Two Katyusha rockets have struck Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses several Western embassies, the Iraqi military has said. The Green Zone hosts foreign embassies, including the US embassy, and government buildings and is regularly the target of rockets …

At least 3 rockets strike Baghdad’s Green Zone, fourth attack in a week, Iraqi officials say
4 years, 9 months ago

At least 3 rockets strike Baghdad’s Green Zone, fourth attack in a week, Iraqi officials say

India TV News  

At least three rockets struck Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone near the American Embassy late Tuesday, a day after an attack on a training base south of Baghdad where U.S.-led coalition troops and NATO trainers were present, Iraqi security officials said. At least three rockets struck the Green Zone, the seat of Iraq’s government and home to several foreign embassies, two …

Dozens of Iraqi protesters wounded in clashes with security forces as anti-government unrest resumes in Baghdad
4 years, 11 months ago

Dozens of Iraqi protesters wounded in clashes with security forces as anti-government unrest resumes in Baghdad

Firstpost  

Baghdad: Dozens of Iraqi protesters were wounded in Baghdad and other cities on Monday in clashes with security forces who were trying to clear blocked roads, security and medical sources said, as anti-government unrest resumed after a lull of several weeks. In Baghdad’s Tayaran Square overnight, protesters threw petrol bombs and stones at police who responded with tear gas and …

Iraq: Anti-government protesters denounce pro-Iran crowds
5 years ago

Iraq: Anti-government protesters denounce pro-Iran crowds

Al Jazeera  

Anti-gov’t protesters in Baghdad accuse authorities of double standard for not cracking down on pro-Iran demonstrators. Protesters have for months occupied Baghdad’s iconic Tahrir Square, just across the Tigris River from the Green Zone, home to government offices, the United Nations headquarters and foreign embassies. Al Jazeera’s Simona Foltyn said that the anti-government demonstrators, who have been protesting for nearly …

Pro-Iran protesters at US embassy in Baghdad gear up for sit-in
5 years ago

Pro-Iran protesters at US embassy in Baghdad gear up for sit-in

Al Jazeera  

PMF supporters demand end to US ‘intervention’, as other Iraqi demonstrators distance themselves from embassy tensions. Hundreds of pro-Iran protesters surrounded the United States embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday to demand an end to US “intervention” in the country. “We are here because we are against US presence in Iraq and its targeting of the Hashd al-Shaabi and we won’t …

Gunmen open fire at anti-govt demonstrators in Baghdad's Khilani Square; 15 including two policemen killed, 60 wounded
5 years, 1 month ago

Gunmen open fire at anti-govt demonstrators in Baghdad's Khilani Square; 15 including two policemen killed, 60 wounded

Firstpost  

The attack came a day after a string of suspicious stabbing incidents targeting demonstrators left at least 13 wounded in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square Baghdad: Gunmen in cars opened fire on Friday in Baghdad’s Khilani Square leaving at least 15 people dead and 60 wounded, Iraqi security and medical officials said. The attack came a day after a string of suspicious …

15 killed in Iraqi capital as assailants fire live rounds
5 years, 1 month ago

15 killed in Iraqi capital as assailants fire live rounds

India TV News  

Gunmen in cars opened fire Friday in Baghdad’s Khilani Square. The attack came a day after a string of suspicious stabbing incidents targeting demonstrators left at least 13 wounded in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, the epicenter of Iraq’s leaderless protest movement. Thousands of anti-government protesters from across southern Iraq had joined demonstrators in Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the protest movement …

Fears rise as at least 13 stabbed in Baghdad square
5 years, 1 month ago

Fears rise as at least 13 stabbed in Baghdad square

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — At least 13 people were stabbed Thursday in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, the epicenter of Iraq’s protest movement, security and medical officials said, stoking fears of infiltration by unknown groups among anti-government demonstrators. Over a dozen protesters were attacked with knives by late afternoon, just as demonstrators supportive of political parties and Iran-backed militias withdrew from Tahrir, three anti-government …

40 protesters killed by security forces in Iraq after Iranian consulate burned down
5 years, 1 month ago

40 protesters killed by security forces in Iraq after Iranian consulate burned down

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The country has seen an intensification in bloodshed in …

Iraqi forces shoot dead 40 anti-govt protesters in 24 hours as violence spirals in Baghdad after the burning of Iranian consulate in Najaf
5 years, 1 month ago

Iraqi forces shoot dead 40 anti-govt protesters in 24 hours as violence spirals in Baghdad after the burning of Iranian consulate in Najaf

Firstpost  

Security forces shot dead 40 anti-government protesters during 24 hours of bloodshed amid spiralling violence in the capital and Iraq’s south, security and medical officials said Thursday, one day after an Iranian consulate was torched Baghdad: Security forces shot dead 40 anti-government protesters during 24 hours of bloodshed amid spiralling violence in the capital and Iraq’s south, security and medical …

Iraqi protester killed amid fresh clashes on Baghdad bridge
5 years, 1 month ago

Iraqi protester killed amid fresh clashes on Baghdad bridge

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — An anti-government protester in Iraq was killed Sunday by a direct hit to the head from a tear gas cannister amid fresh clashes on a strategic Baghdad bridge, security and medical officials said. On Saturday, Iraqi security forces had withdrawn from Khilani Square after firing live ammunition and tear gas against protesters trying to tear down a concrete …

Iraq on edge after al-Sadr calls for removal of prime minister amid protests
5 years, 2 months ago

Iraq on edge after al-Sadr calls for removal of prime minister amid protests

CNN  

CNN — One of Iraq’s leading Shiite clerics and powerful politicians has called on other parties to back him in removing Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi after weeks of protests. Muqtada al-Sadr, who leads the largest political block in parliament, invited Iraq’s second largest party on Tuesday to cooperate with him in “immediately” holding a vote of no confidence in …

Anti-government protests rage in Iraq, 7 killed
5 years, 2 months ago

Anti-government protests rage in Iraq, 7 killed

India TV News  

At least seven more Iraqi protesters were killed Saturday in clashes with security forces in Baghdad and the southern town of Nasiriyah, as thousands took part in nationwide anti-government protests, officials said. Security forces fired tear gas as protesters tried to remove blast walls from the main bridge leading to the government district. Image Source : AP Anti-government protests rage …

Iraqi protesters say they have videos of government atrocities. An internet blackout is stopping the world from seeing them
5 years, 3 months ago

Iraqi protesters say they have videos of government atrocities. An internet blackout is stopping the world from seeing them

CNN  

Baghdad, Iraq CNN — By night, Baghdad’s streets are eerily quiet, punctuated with smatterings of gunfire – be it a single shot or something more sustained and intense. Iraq’s army has admitted to the use of “excessive force” against protesters in al-Sadr district, according to a statement posted to the Iraqi state security Facebook page on Monday. “Accountability measures have …

Iraqi protesters defy curfew as violence leaves 33 dead
5 years, 3 months ago

Iraqi protesters defy curfew as violence leaves 33 dead

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Anti-government demonstrators defied an around-the-clock curfew in Baghdad and other cities Thursday as Iraqi security forces used live ammunition and tear gas during a third day of unrest that has left 33 people dead, most of them protesters. The coalition urged all sides “to reduce tensions and reject violence.” Iraq’s state news agency said Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi …

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