Funerals held for protesters killed in Baghdad protests

Record ID: 102527

  • Title: Funerals held for protesters killed in Baghdad protests
  • Date: 21st May 2016
  • Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (MAY 21, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF COFFINS ON TOP OF VEHICLES VARIOUS OF MAN LEADING CHANTS AT FUNERAL VARIOUS OF MEN CHANTING, FOLLOWING FUNERAL PROCESSION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SALIM HAIDER, UNCLE OF KILLED PROTESTER, SAYING: "He's still young. All he did was protest with the people calling on the government to solve our corruption issues." MORE OF PROCESSION AND CHANTING PROCESSION TRUCKS DRIVE BY
  • Embargoed: 5th June 2016 09:06
  • Keywords: Iraq Baghdad Green Zone protests funerals
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • City: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Civil Unrest
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014IR1GEF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Funerals were held across Baghdad on Saturday (May 21) for demonstrators killed by security forces when protests stormed the city's fortified Green Zone.
    At one ceremony in the Sadr City neighbourhood, coffins draped with Iraqi flags were driven down the street, followed by a procession of mourners.
    One man riding with the coffins, Salim Haider, told Reuters he lost his nephew.
    "He's still young," he said. "All he did was protest with the people calling on the government to solve our corruption issues."
    Iraqi security forces opened fire on protesters who breached the Green Zone on Friday (May 20) and entered the cabinet building, drawing calls for revolt from the powerful Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Dozens were wounded in the incident, witnesses said, although the total number of those killed could not be immediately verified.
    Some security personnel were stabbed, according to a military statement.
    The thousands of protesters that participated included supporters of al-Sadr and people from other groups upset with the government's failure to approve anti-corruption reforms and provide security.
    It was the second such protest in a month in the Green Zone, which houses government and military buildings, as well as many embassies.
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