Protesters try to break into Baghdad Green Zone again

May 20, 2016 21:51

Thousands of supporters of Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr today attempted to break into Baghdad's fortified "Green Zone" again, three weeks after storming parliament.

A huge deployment of security forces met the protesters with tear gas, sound bombs and water cannons, according to an AFP reporter who saw several lightly injured demonstrators.

The protesters gathered on Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, removed barbed wire on one of the main bridges over the Tigris and massed outside the Green Zone.

The Sadr supporters, who have been protesting for months to demand reforms and an end to corruption, pushed past a gate of the Green Zone but were swiftly pinned back.

Sadr supporters had encountered relatively little resistance when they pulled down slabs of blast walls surrounding the Green Zone last month and were able to enter the main parliament building.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Prajwal Revanna sex videos: BJP leader sent to 14-day custody

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and advocate G Devaraje Gowda, arrested for alleged molestation and rape, was on Saturday remanded to 14 days judicial custody.

Cong Surat candidate resurfaces, says betrayed by party

Suspended Congress leader Nilesh Kumbhani, whose nomination form was rejected over discrepancies leading to Bharatiya Janata Party winning the Surat Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat unopposed, resurfaced on Saturday after 20 days and alleged it...

Phase 4: Campaigning ends for 96 Lok Sabha seats, Andhra polls

Campaigning for May 13 elections in 96 Lok Sabha constituencies across 10 states and Union territories including all seats in Andhra Pradesh, where assembly elections are also being held concurrently, and Telangana concluded on Saturday...

TDP eyes gains in Pulivendula amid Reddy sibling rivalry

But as voters gear up for crucial assembly and parliamentary polls on May 13, all eyes are on the high-stakes battle in Pulivendula, an assembly constituency that has been a Reddy family stronghold for over four decades.

Aman, Sujeet close in on Olympic quotas; Punia eliminated

Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal inched closer to securing Paris Olympics quotas by reaching the semi-finals at the World Olympic Wrestling Qualifiers.