Rockets hit Baghdad’s Green Zone after protests
5 dead, including 2 police officers
BAGHDAD - Two rockets landed in Baghdad’s highly fortified Green Zone on Saturday night following clashes at antigovernment protests that left five dead, according to Iraqi security and hospital officials.
The rocket attack left no casualties as the munitions landed on the parade grounds in the center of the highly fortified Baghdad compound that is home to Iraq’s government and most foreign embassies. It was not immediately clear who fired the projectiles.
Saturday’s protests were called for by influential cleric Muqtada alSadr and clashes that erupted as crowds pushed toward the Green Zone left two police officers and three protesters dead, according to police and hospital officials.
The officials said six other police officers were injured along with dozens of protesters. The violent outbreak prompted the government to call for a “full investigation.”
The demonstrators loyal to al-Sadr gathered in Baghdad’s downtown Tahrir square and demanded an overhaul of the commission overseeing local elections scheduled this year. Al-Sadr has accused the commission of being riddled with corruption and has called for its overhaul.
Shots rang out in central Baghdad as security forces used live fire and tear gas to disperse the crowds. An Associated Press team at the scene witnessed ambulances rushing away protesters suffering from breathing difficulties.
Hospital officials who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to brief journalists said the police officers died of gunshot wounds. They gave no details as to the cause of death of the protesters.
Iraq’s prime minister ordered an investigation into the violence.
“The prime minister ordered a full investigation into the injuries among security forces and protesters during the demonstration today in Tahrir square,” read a statement from Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s office Saturday evening.
Al-Sadr’s office issued another statement Saturday night following news of protester casualties claiming that “excessive force” was used against the demonstrators and threatened greater protests. “The next time the blood of our martyrs will not go in vain,” the statement read.