Iraqi security forces have opened fire on protesters who stormed the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad.
ADVERTISEMENTIraqi security forces have opened fire on protesters who stormed the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad.
State of emergency declared in Baghdad, Iraq, after rioters storm offices of prime minister. https://t.co/0z4mG8YgsRpic.twitter.com/JurOvTvtQa
— ABC News (
ABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABC/status/733855821629521922">May 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <b></b>Dozens of mainly Shi'ite demonstrators have been injured and security personal suffered stab wounds, according to the army. <b></b> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Protesters overwhelm Iraqi forces and enter PM's office after storming Baghdad's Green Zone <a href="https://t.co/EDlAx6qbtG">https://t.co/EDlAx6qbtG</a> <a href="https://t.co/3HC704r8vT">pic.twitter.com/3HC704r8vT</a></p>— AJE News (AJENews) May 20, 2016
The thousands involved in the uproar included supporters of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr:“We are committed to the orders of Moqtada al-Sadr, it’s a peaceful protest. It has become clear now who is behind the bombings in Sadr city, Kadhimiya and Adil neighbourhoods. Today, the Iraqi government has proved that it is a leader of terrorism.” roared one protestor. > Video: Dozens injured as security forces opened fire after protesters stormed Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zonehttps://t.co/skTRIRVs7Q
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) May 21, 2016
The Iraqi prime minister,Haider al-Abadi, condemned the attack and occupation of government facilities:
“What happened today the storming of government’s facilities and tampering with public property, cannot be accepted the law must take its course with every transgressor.”
It is the second time the government compound has been besieged amid calls for an end to government corruption and security failures.