Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Iraqi protesters inch toward Green Zone
BAGHDAD — Anti-government protesters seized control of a strategic square in central Baghdad on Saturday, as they inched closer toward their goal of reaching the heavily fortified Green Zone, the seat of government, after days of violent clashes with security forces.
An activist involved in the protest movement was shot dead early in the morning, security officials and activists said, in northwest Baghdad. The officials requested anonymity in line with regulations.
At least 320 people have been killed and thousands wounded since the unrest in the capital and the mostly Shiite southern provinces began on Oct. 1. Protesters have taken to the streets in the tens of thousands over what they say is widespread corruption, lack of job opportunities and poor basic services despite the country’s oil wealth.
Iraqi security forces withdrew from Khilani Square and part of Sinak Bridge on Saturday, after firing live rounds and tear gas the previous day against protesters trying to tear down a concrete barrier blocking entry to the square.
Security forces kept control over part of the Sinak Bridge and erected new concrete barriers to block protesters from pushing into the Green Zone, which houses Parliament and many foreign embassies.
Protesters have sought to cross the flashpoint Jumhouriyya and Sinak bridges to get to the Green Zone and failed every time as riot police stationed on the bridges held them off with tear gas and stun grenades.