Security forces in Iraq have fired tear gas and live bullets at Shia Muslim protesters storming Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone for the second time this month. “Otherwise, the revolution will take another form”.
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Iraqi security forces killed at least two protesters Friday during clashes in Baghdad’s Green Zone, Agence France-Presse reported.
Protesters occupied the cabinet building for several hours.
Meanwhile, Baghdad Operations Command, responsible for the security in the Iraqi capital, announced curfew in Baghdad city until further notice, while security measures were intensified and the troops blocked the entrances of Baghdad, the source said.
The Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, has condemned the green zone breach and warned against chaos and strife as government forces seek to keep up momentum against Islamist militants.
They confronted security forces guarding the compound, and some protesters eventually forced their way in. Three people, including an unnamed journalist, were believed killed and more than 50 were wounded.
This led security forces to push through the crowd on foot, firing volleys of tear gas in an effort to push the people back from the gates.
Ambulances became caught in the mass of people packing the street, which was divided by coils of barbed wire running down the median that also impeded movement.
Iraq is struggling to contain a security crisis in the midst of the political disarray.
Abadi has proposed replacing the current government of party-affiliated ministers with technocrats, a move resisted by parties that rely on control of ministries for patronage and funds.
Sadr supporters have blamed the government for a series of bomb attacks in Baghdad, including a very deadly one in their bastion of Sadr City, even though the Islamic State jihadi group claimed responsibility for them.
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The protesters moved from the government zone and crossed two nearby bridges on Tigris River to gather again in Tahrir Square on the eastern side of the stream, as they were chanting slogans against corrupt politicians and officials.
