Defying top cleric, protesters in Iraq resume demonstrations

BAGHDAD — One protester was killed by security forces after hundreds of anti-government protesters flooded the streets of Iraq’s capital and southern provinces on Sunday, defying a powerful Iraqi religious leader who recently withdrew his support from the popular movement.

Separately, five Katyusha rockets crashed into a riverbank near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone without causing any injuries or serious damage, a statement from U.S. Joint Operations Command said. One rocket landed inside the embassy walls, an Iraqi security official said.

Security forces fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse the crowds from the capital’s Khilani Square, medical and security officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. One protester was killed and six wounded after security forces fired live rounds in nearby Wathba Square.

At least 28 demonstrators were reported wounded by Iraqi security forces in the first hours of Sunday’s street rallies.

Shiite cleric and political leader, Muqtada al-Sadr dropped his support for the anti-government movement on Friday, a move that analysts said was meant to buttress his political reputation during a time of national turmoil.

But by Sunday morning, it had the opposite effect as protesters pushed back.

Hundreds of protesters, mostly students, marched through key squares in the capital and southern Iraq to show their continued support for the anti-government movement, despite al-Sadr’s reversal of position.