Eight Killed as Sadr Supporters Storm Protest Camp in Iraq’s Najaf
70 others wounded as fighting breaks out over future of protest movement
Jason Ditz
Influential Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has endorsed the interim PM-designate Mohammed Allawi, and called on his protesters to end their demonstrations. This was a large chunk of Iraq’s overall protest movement, but others remain, and that’s not sitting well with Sadr’s followers.
Sadr’s followers in the holy city of Najaf attacked a protest camp, trying to dismantle it. This led to heavy fighting, petrol bombs, and even live gunfire. 8 people were killed, and at least 70 were wounded.
Allawi issued a statement saying that the “painful developments” should ensure that the current government carried out its duty to protect protesters. Najaf’s governor announced a holiday on Thursday to try to restore calm.
Sadr had called for his supporters to allow protests to continue, though the anti-government protesters say that in Najaf, all the protest tents were burned, and Sadr’s forces retain control of the area.
Sadr’s followers in the holy city of Najaf attacked a protest camp, trying to dismantle it. This led to heavy fighting, petrol bombs, and even live gunfire. 8 people were killed, and at least 70 were wounded.
Allawi issued a statement saying that the “painful developments” should ensure that the current government carried out its duty to protect protesters. Najaf’s governor announced a holiday on Thursday to try to restore calm.
Sadr had called for his supporters to allow protests to continue, though the anti-government protesters say that in Najaf, all the protest tents were burned, and Sadr’s forces retain control of the area.
posted by Satish Sharma at
11:09
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home