Iraqi Prime Minister declares curfew in Baghdad amid protests

  03 October 2019    Read: 1036
Iraqi Prime Minister declares curfew in Baghdad amid protests

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi announced a curfew across the capital of Baghdad beginning at 05:00 a.m. (02:00 GMT) on Thursday amid large anti-government protests that have rocked the city, AzVision.az reports citing local media.

The INA news agency reported, citing the prime minister's statement, that the curfew would be in force until further notice.

The protests have been underway in Baghdad and other areas in the south of Iraq since Tuesday. The demonstrators are calling for economic reforms and end to corruption.

Earlier, Participants of anti-government demonstrations in Iraq’s capital of Baghdad were trying to break into the city airport while security forces were using tear gas to disperse them.

"Security officers are using tear gas to prevent protesters from breaking into the Baghdad airport," the security service said late on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Alsumaria broadcaster reported that in the southern Dhi Qar province, five people, including one law enforcement officer, had been killed and 50 others sustained injuries in the crackdown on protesters.

In Baghdad, the security services blocked off three bridges to the so-called Green Zone where government offices and foreign missions properties are located, according to Al Mayadeen TV channel. The protesters, in their turn, blocked off the road to the international airport.

The authorities said the airport was working normally despite the situation.

In the Dhi Qar and Wasit provinces, the authorities declared a curfew.

In the Najaf province, demonstrators put a building of the local administration on fire. According to Alsumaria, the provincial governor ordered to release all protesters who were previously captured during the crackdown.


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