Several Injured as Security Forces Advance on Baghdad Square

Arab World

January 25th, 10:32am

Asharq Al-Awsat

An Iraqi demonstrator hurls a tear gas canister back at Iraqi security forces during clashes in Baghdad's al-Rasheed street near al-Ahrar bridge on November 25, 2019, during ongoing anti-government demonstrations. - AFP

Iraqi security forces clashed with protesters on Saturday in Baghdad, wounding seven of them after authorities started to remove concrete barriers near anti-government demonstration sites, medics said. Police in Basra started to clear the main protest camp and open up roads blocked off by demonstrators in the southern city, as security forces fired tear gas and live rounds at them. Earlier, supporters of the populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr began packing up their tents. Sadr announced on Friday that he would halt any involvement by his supporters in demonstrations that have called since October for the removal of Iraq's ruling elite, Reuters reported. “I am expressing my disappointment and my regret toward all those who doubted me among the Tahrir Square protesters,” he said in a tweet. He also accused protesters of being “foreign paid tools.” Meanwhile, security forces stormed protest camp in the southern port city of Basra, forcibly dispersing activities. According to AFP, tents were burned down and municipal staff could be seen clearing the charred remains to reopen the square. In Baghdad, security forces cleared sit-ins from Tayaran Square, Mohammad Qasim highway and Ahrar Bridge, Baghdad military command said. Ahrar Bridge links east Baghdad to western districts and had been partly occupied by protestors in recent months. Presence of Sadr's followers had shielded the protesters from security forces and unknown groups looking to harm and suppress them, according to activists. However, with that cover gone, many in the four-month-old movement feared the worst, the Associated Press reported. Demonstrations since October have been critical of government corruption, high unemployment and Iranian influence in Iraqi politics. For his part, Basra activist Nakeeb Lueibi said: “The protest square is now controlled (by the security forces), after they used force.” “This is considered a betrayal by the Sadr bloc. Our demonstrations are for the good of our country. There will be no peace after what has happened in Basra last night.”

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2098896/several-injured-security-forces-advance-baghdad-square