Protesters in Baghdad tower vow to remain to protect rallies

Towering above Baghdad’s Jumhuriya Bridge, an abandoned building known as the Turkish Restaurant has clear views across the Green Zone and into Tahrir Square.

Today, the building’s normally drab concrete grey exterior is draped in Iraqi flags, while inside hundreds of young protesters chant, blow horns and dance to thumping electronic music.

But the building is not only a place of giddy energy – it plays a strategic role for protesters who have sworn to lay down their lives if needed to prevent police from removing them.

“The security forces want to enter the Turkish Restaurant because if they do, then all of the protests will fail,” said Mohamed Al Qaisy, 25, who is an engineering student.

“They will be able to control Tahrir Square … so even if we die we will not come down from here.”

Between October 1 and October 9, security forces killed at least 149 protesters and injured more than 5,000 as mass demonstrations erupted in Baghdad.

A government investigation found that 70 per cent of those killed were shot with live ammunition.

Footage of the rallies shows snipers on rooftops shooting at demonstrators in Tahrir Square.

Many people on the streets say the snipers took up positions in the upper floors of the Turkish Restaurant.

Iran-backed militias have been accused of sending the snipers, while the Iraqi military has also admitted using excessive force when dealing with the protesters.

“If they take the Turkish Restaurant they will put snipers inside and kill us and destroy the protests,” Mr Al Qaisy said.

Protesters have therefore occupied the building and vowed not to give it up.

“They hit us with smoke grenades and with live bullets from this building,” said Muazen Rasool, 30, who is unemployed and lives in Baghdad’s suburbs.

“They were here, they were aiming at the square, they would not allow anyone to cross the square.”

The protests paused briefly during the Shiite pilgrimage of Arbaeen and since then live ammunition has not been widely used against protesters.

When demonstrators returned to the streets, they headed straight for the Turkish Restaurant.

Mr Rasool said that for the past six nights he had slept on a damp red blanket on one of the building’s upper floors.

He said the building had been attacked several times by security forces who shot tear gas and stun grenades through openings.

“We’re not afraid. Iraqis are not afraid – we’re brave,” Mr Rasool said.

“We want a true change, we want an independent government that does not follow the parties and that does not follow its neighbouring countries. I will stay here until the government changes.”

Those occupying the building have become a community with a support network.

“I come here every day with food,” said a protester, 20, who was delivering sandwiches.

A steady stream of water, food and drink is passed into the Turkish Restaurant, fuelling those inside as they film, document and record the activities of the security forces below them.

Between October 1 and October 9, security forces killed at least 149 protesters and injured about 5,000 in Baghdad