- Title: Security forces fire tear gas as protests resume in Iraq
- Date: 25th October 2019
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 25, 2019) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS RUNNING AS TEAR GAS IS FIRED TO DISPERSE THEM AFTER CROSSING A BRIDGE LEADING TO BAGHDAD'S FORTIFIED GREEN ZONE/AUDIO OF TEAR GAS CANISTERS BEING FIRED/SMOKE FROM TEAR GAS SEEN IN DISTANCE PROTESTERS RUNNING /AUDIO OF TEAR GAS CANISTERS BEING FIRED DEMONSTRATORS GATHERING AROUND AN INJURED PROTESTER/PROTESTER WASHING HIS EYES FROM TEAR GAS PROTESTERS CARRYING AN INJURED MAN AND RUNNING PROTESTER HOLDING PLACARD READING (Arabic): ''THE HOMELAND CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSES'' VARIOUS OF CHILDREN AMONG PROTESTERS RUNNING AS POLICE TRY TO DISPERSE THEM/TEAR GAS BEING FIRED IN THE DISTANCE VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS TRYING TO REMOVE BARBED WIRES SET UP ON AL-JUMHURIYA BRIDGE LEADING TO THE BAGHDAD'S FORTIFIED GREEN ZONE PROTESTERS CARRYING FLAGS WALKING PAST RIOT POLICE AMBULANCE DRIVING WITH SIRENS ON PROTESTERS CHANTING (Arabic): ''NO, NO FOR PARTIES'' SOUNDBITE (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER, SAYING: ''We want an emergency government to be formed. He should leave, all his reforms are but promises. All the successive governments say we will do this and that, but in vain. We don't protest because of the 130,000 Iraqi dinars ($107) grant promise, we are not beggars. So, even if he gives us $1000 or $2000, will protesters return? There is no healthcare, no education, no services.'' PROTESTERS MARCHING AND CHANTING
- Embargoed: 8th November 2019 07:59
- Keywords: Iraq protests baghdad anti-government protests
- Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- City: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001B2LFXHJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Iraqi security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to repel demonstrators on Friday morning (October 25) who had marched towards government buildings in protest against corruption and economic hardship.
The incident marked a renewal of the anti-government protests after security forces killed about 150 people in confronting a round of demonstrations at the start of the month.
About 1,000 people, some of whom had camped overnight in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, were marching towards the city's fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies, when they were stopped by security forces.
Medical sources told Reuters about 20 people had been treated in hospital for tear gas exposure.
Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said in an address on Thursday (October 24) that people would be free to exercise their right to demonstrate but that violence would not be tolerated.
Abdul Mahdi has struggled to address discontent since sometimes violent unrest erupted in Baghad on October 1 and spread to southern cities. Demonstrators blame corrupt officials and political elites for failing to improve their lives.
(Production: Maher Nazeh, Mohammed al-Ramahi, Mohammed Kaftan, Chiara Rodriquez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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