[Bagdad 2 Reuters]-In the last two days in Iraq, anti-government protesters and security forces collided in various locations, killing at least 7 people and injuring more than 400 people. In response to this situation, Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi issued a ban on the capital of Baghdad on the 2nd.
The anti-government demonstration started on the 1st with dissatisfaction due to unemployment, corruption, and lack of public services, and a ban on going out was issued to the southern cities of Nasilia, Amara, and Hira.
According to police sources, an elite unit for anti-terrorism fired at a demonstrator who tried to enter Baghdad Airport. Due to the increased clashes between protesters and security forces, elite troops were also placed in Nassilia.
In a statement, Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi announced that it would completely ban the movement of vehicles and individuals into Baghdad after 5 am on the 3rd until further notice.
However, in addition to travelers and ambulances traveling to and from Baghdad Airport, civil servants working in hospitals, power and water departments are not subject to the ban. It was left to the local governments to decide whether or not to go out to other areas.
In Baghdad, protesters blocked the highway leading to the north, and security forces tried to eliminate them with live ammunition and tear gas. In Nasirya, Amara, and Shiite sanctuary Najaf, demonstrators set fire to government buildings, and even in Kuot, demonstrators attempted to enter municipal buildings.
The political instability in Iraq, coupled with the tensions in each region, could drive the coalition government led by Prime Minister Abdul Mahadi to collapse.