Iraq security forces injure protesters in Baghdad

An old man holds a banner at Al-Khulani Square for an anti-government protest in Baghdad, Iraq on 6 March 2020. [Murtadha Al-Sudani – Anadolu Agency]

As many as 16 Iraqi protesters were wounded and suffocated by tear gas yesterday during in the capital, Baghdad, Anadolu news agency reported.

The agency quoted a medical source who works in the Rasafa health department in Baghdad as saying that “the deployed health teams recorded 16 injuries among the protesters following clashes with the security forces in Al-Khilani Square”.

Eyewitnesses told the Anadolu correspondent that riot police fired tear gas at the protesters causing a number of them to suffocate while others were wounded after some of the canisters exploded.

“The security forces chased a number of protesters near Al-Khilani Square in an attempt to arrest them.”

Iraq has been witnessing anti-establishment protests since October 2019 demanding political and economic reforms.

READ: Iraq’s angry protesters returns to the streets

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