Anti-government protests turned violent in Iraq, killing 50

Baghdad, Ta. October 26, 2019, Saturday

Anti-government demonstrations in Iraq have taken a very violent turn. According to information provided by security sources and monitoring groups, up to 50 people lost their lives Friday in the newly launched protest.

More than 150 people were killed in demonstrations in Iraq earlier this month in early October. On Friday, 42 people lost their lives in a recent showcase.

Meanwhile, officials from Iraq's top Shi'ite organization and several organizations, including the United Nations, have appealed for restraint. As per reports, the situation was peaceful till Thursday evening and the demonstrators were seen giving flowers to the security forces.

But by Friday evening, the protests had turned violent and killed 42 people. Half of them attacked the headquarters of armed groups and government institutions.

According to information provided by security sources, 12 people who attacked the Badr organization's headquarters in Diwaniyah alone were killed. The Monitoring Group reports that 30 people were killed due to tear gas shells or bullets in the capital and four southern provinces.

The Iraqi parliament debated Saturday's demonstrations

Security officials said that people started protesting from October 1st on corruption, unemployment and lack of basic facilities. After that, the opposition Shi'a extended to several southern provinces and had to shut down Internet service by declaring a curfew to control the situation.

Then thousands of people gathered at the Tahrir Chowk in Baghdad on Friday morning carrying Iraqi flags and plates appealing for reform. Thousands of protesters crossed the Jumhuria Bridge when they crossed the extra-green "green zone" area, leaving security forces with tear gas shells to disperse them.