Clashes break out at protests over arrested activists in southern Iraq
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[October 19, 2024]
By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA
BAGHDAD
(AP) — Hundreds of protesters gathered Friday in the Iraqi city of
Nasiriyah demanding the release of activists arrested over earlier
demonstrations, with clashes breaking out between protesters and
security forces. |
Anti-government protesters gather in Al-Haboubi Square in the city of
Nasiriyah, Iraq, Friday, Oct, 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aqeel Ghanim) |
The city in the southern province of Dhi Qar has frequently been
a flashpoint of anti-government discontent.
The renewed protests come five years after the outbreak of mass
anti-government protests in the Iraqi capital and southern
provinces calling for reforms.
Protesters Friday called for the release of a group of detained
activists who had participated in the October 2019
demonstrations as well as in more recent protests, saying that
the legal cases against them were “retaliatory.” They called for
the local police chief to step down. The gathering was attended
by a number of Iraqi legislators who support the protest
movement.
Security forces tried to disperse the protesters using smoke
bombs, and all roads leading to Al-Haboubi Square were blocked
with barbed wire.
An official with the Dhi Qar police, who spoke on condition of
anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, said that 11
security personnel and nine protesters were injured in clashes.
A statement issued by the police command said 21 of its members
were injured. It did not mentioned injured protesters.
Provincial council member Ahmed Al-Khafaji said that the council
had held an emergency session Friday evening that came out with
“several decisions against the backdrop of today’s events." He
said the council supported "stopping the raids and searches of
activists’ homes and pursuing them, allowing activists to settle
their legal matters with the police stations in their areas, and
emphasizing the non-use of live ammunition against
demonstrators.”
From October to December 2019, Iraq witnessed the largest
protest movement since 2003, leading to the fall of the
government and the adoption of a new electoral law by
parliament.
Hundreds of protesters were killed and thousands injured as
Iraqi security forces used live ammunition and snipers in a
violent crackdown and many more arrested.
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