Iraqi internet services shut down in several cities, including Baghdad
Baghdad – News Time
The “Al Arabiya” correspondent in Iraq has reported that internet service has been suspended in the capital Baghdad and several other cities to curb protests. Security forces, on the other hand, dispersed protesters near the Iraqi Television building in Baghdad. Iraqi medical sources say clashes between security forces and protesters in Nazarea kill one person and injure 7 Iraqi government sources confirmed that five people, including a security official, were killed and 60 injured in demonstrations in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Security forces fire at Baghdad’s Al-Shuda Bridge to disperse protesters as a result, several protesters were injured. Earlier, protesters raided an Iranian consulate building in Karbala and hoisted the Iraqi flag there.
A report by Reuters reported that at least 4 people were killed by security forces firing. The agency’s photographer testified that at least 4 people were killed by police shootings. Sources told “Al-Arabiya” that ambulances were seen carrying the wounded from the area of Al-Alawi, near the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office. On the other hand, a large number of security personnel have been deployed in the area. According to a recent development, protesters attempted to move to the Ministry of Justice in central Baghdad, which security officials have responded to. Massive fire was observed near the Justice Ministry building. Security forces fired tear gas shells at the crowd. An Iraqi military spokesman announced the dispersal of protesters in front of the Justice Ministry headquarters.
On the other hand, thousands of protesters protested despite Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s appeal on Monday. The Prime Minister had told the protesters that they should end the protests because the protests are costing the Iraqi economy billions of dollars and that the country is in turmoil. Demonstrators in the Iraqi capital Baghdad are watching a general strike indefinitely from today. Its purpose is to pressurize authorities to meet demands.
On the other hand, according to the declaration of the Human Rights Commission in Iraq, three fighters were killed in firing in Karbala on Sunday. The protesters and security forces injured 12 people in the clashes. According to the French news agency, all three protesters were killed in front of the Iranian consulate. The commission has called on the security forces to meet the requirements of a safe clash and avoid direct firing. At the same time, it has been urged that those who fired directly at the protesters should be presented for investigation. The commission has called on Iraqi protesters to remain confined to protests and not to endanger diplomatic buildings.
Meanwhile, Iraqi armed forces have warned that the bridge could collapse as a result of fire and destruction on the Al-Jamhoria Bridge. Sources in the Al Arabiya and Hadith news channels said security forces have cordoned off the Iranian consulate building in Karbala. Earlier, protesters were dispersed, who were busy in riots around the consulate on Sunday night. More than 1000 protesters reached the Iranian Consulate building in Karbala on Sunday. Protesters hoisted the Iraqi flag on the wall of the Iranian consulate. An angry mob of Iraqi people was furious over Tehran’s interference in its country’s affairs.
