OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 7:26 AM PT — Monday, January 27, 2020
Dozens of anti-government protesters have been wounded as
demonstrations continue in Iraq. Hundreds of people took to the streets
in Baghdad on Saturday in defiance of a Shi’ite cleric who withdrew his
support for the movement.The protests began peacefully before security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds. Four protesters reportedly died during the encounter.
Iraqi security forces raided several anti-government encampments in multiple cities, where they then proceeded to burn their tents.
“Removing the tents from the square
actually didn’t affect us at all. In fact, yesterday, for each tent was
removed, two or three has been replaced in place of it.”
— Manqidh Mundhir, protester – Iraq
Mass demonstrations in Iraq began last year and stemmed from anger at
U.S. counter-terror strikes, corruption and economic inequality.
