Iraq: bullets and tear gas on protesters; at least five victims
Armed men killed two people in Nassiriya; three more died in the capital, where there were violent clashes for the third consecutive day. Over 500 people have died since the start of the protests in October. The weak condemnation of the international community, inert in the face of violence.
On January 25, Iraqi authorities launched a massive offensive to try to end the protest, which broke out in the capital and southern cities on October 1. The protesters call for the expulsion of the entire political class, the fight against widespread corruption and free and fair elections, Asia News reports.
Eyewitnesses say that some armed men, on board four trucks, attacked the heart of the protest in Baghdad, killing two people and setting fire to the tents. In response, the demonstrators started building “permanent” shelters using bricks while others raided a nearby police station, setting fire to five vehicles.
Rockets fired against US embassy in Baghdad
Five rockets have been launched against the US embassy in Iraq, inside the maximum security Green Zone in Baghdad, causing the injury of at least three people. The attack took place yesterday, in a context of growing tensions and violence in the country: yesterday, in fact, security forces intervened to forcefully quash anti-government protests, causing the death of a protester.
Local sources report that at least one of the five Katyusha missiles hit the canteen of the US diplomatic mission in Iraq, while the other four fell short without hitting the building. Analysts and experts point out that this would be the first time in several years that US personnel have been injured in an attack.
At the moment no group or movement has claimed responsibility for the operation. In the past, Washington had accused local Shiite militias supported and financed by Iran for similar operations.
Photo: Asia News
