Anti-corruption protest claims lives in Baghdad

 A massive rally on Saturday against corruption in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad turned violent as fierce clashes erupted between demonstrators and security forces, leaving at least four protesters and one security member killed.

The protests began before noon when thousands of people, mainly followers of the influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, rallied in Tahrir Square on the eastern bank of the Tigris River, which bisects Baghdad, demanding a change in the Independent High Electoral Commission, and arguing that the electoral body is under the influence of leading parties.

The protesters also demanded real and comprehensive reform in the political process in order to fight the wide spread corruption in the country.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called on the demonstrators to remain peaceful and to "abide by the law."

However, fierce clashes erupted a few hours later when the demonstrators crossed al-Jamhouriyah Bridge to the western bank of the Tigris and marched at the gates of the Green Zone, which houses the main government offices and foreign embassies.

The security forces warned the protesters not to come closer to the gates of the Green Zone, but clashes soon sparked with security forces, who fired tear gas and shot live ammunition in the air to disperse demonstrators.

Baghdad Governor, Ali al-Tamimi, said in a press release that four protesters were killed and 320 others wounded, 79 of whom received wounds by gunshots.

Tamimi, who is a Sadr loyalist, condemned the violence against unarmed demonstrators and "urged Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to form an investigative committee and to hold accountable all those involved in the assault against peaceful demonstrators."

On the other side, a statement by Baghdad Operations Command (BOC) said that a security member was killed and seven others wounded by the clashes.

BOC, responsible for the security in Baghdad, accused "some of the demonstrators, outside the permitted area of the demonstration, of deliberately creating friction with the security forces that led to the death of a security member and injuring seven others."

"The security forces found guns and knives with some demonstrators, which means that some protesters have intentions to breach the law and the right of peaceful demonstration," the statement said.

Later in the day, Abadi ordered a probe into the casualties of security members and protesters that occurred during the day by the clashes between the two sides, and pledged to prosecute those responsible for the incident.

For its part, Sadr political office in a statement held the government responsible for the clashes that killed and wounded many people and security members.

"The government abused its unarmed people; fired gas and live ammunition on them and chased them in the streets and alleys despite they did not cross any barriers or bypassing any restrictions," the statement.

Sadr followers held several massive rallies last year. In one occasion, the protesters broke into part of the Green Zone, including storming the parliament building.

During the past months, Abadi made some reforms, which were aimed at confronting the country's economic crisis due to the sharp decrease in oil prices in global markets at the time that the security forces are in full-combat with Islamic State terrorist group in the country.

However, Abadi's reforms, first gained popular support, but with the passing of time the reforms fell short to convince demonstrators who continued their protests and demanded that Abadi be more aggressive against the political parties that benefited from corruption and could reverse the reforms to their own good.

source: Xinhua