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Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

At Least 19 Killed In Iraq As "Day Of Rage" Sweeps Middle East

Staff Reporters |
February 25, 2011 | 11:05 a.m. PST

Hundreds of thousands of people across the Middle East staged anti-government protests on Friday on what is being called a "Day of Rage."

"Big day for protests today in , , -- and of course, . History on steroids!," New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof tweeted.  When it was pointed out to him that protests were also taking place in Iraq, he tweeted again: "Oops. Thanks to many followers for pointing out also major demonstrations today in ."

MSNBC reported that the worst violence took place in Iraq:

Iraq saw the day's worst violence. Thousands marched on government buildings and clashed with security forces in cities across the country in the largest anti-government protests here since political unrest began spreading in the Arab world several weeks ago.

In the western Anbar province two people were shot and killed in a protest. In the capital of Baghdad, demonstrators knocked down blast walls, threw rocks and scuffled with club-wielding troops who chased them down the street.

The protests were fueled by anger over corruption, chronic unemployment and shoddy public services.

At least 19 people were killed in Iraq as thousands of protesters demonstrated against Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and local leaders around the country. 

The Washington Post reported:

Security forces used tear gas, water cannons, sound bombs and at times live bullets to disperse the crowds. Fatalities were reported in Mosul, Fallujah, Tikrit and a town near Kirkuk, when security forces opened fire on demonstrators who were surrounding--or in some cases storming--government buildings. There were also clashes in Ramadi.

In the southern province of Basra, about 10,000 demonstrators forced the resignation of the provincial governor. In Fallujah, protesters forced the resignation of the entire city council.

In Baghdad, where Maliki imposed a curfew that banned cars and even bicycles from the streets, people walked, often many miles, to reach the city's Tahrir Square. Several thousand had gathered by early afternoon.

Religious and government officials have urged people to skip the rallies. Maliki try to dissuade people from taking part, alleging the demonstrations were organized by al-Qaeda and groups loyal to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Many of the protests taking place on Friday were organized through social media sites such as Facebook.



 

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