Clashes as Iraqis continue protests

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BAGHDAD, Nov 12, (Agencies): Waves of Iraqis continued holding protests throughout the nation on Tuesday and the teachers’ union called for a demonstration for the educational staff on Wednesday.

Witnesses told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that Al- Tahrir Square in the heart of the Iraqi capital witnessed arrival of a large number of people, acknowledging a statement made Monday by the supreme religious authority, (Seyyed) Ali Al-Sistani that the demonstrators would not give up until their demands are met.

The protestors and security forces clashed over the night and Tuesday near Al-Khallani Square close to Al-Sanak Causeway, a stone’s throw from Al-Tahrir Plaza. A number of protestors suffered suffocation from tear-gas hurled by the security personnel, the witnesses told KUNA.

In southern town of Al-Nasriyah, where four people died and 150 others were wounded in fierce violence last Monday, activists barricaded Al-Zaytoun Bridge amid closure of government departments due to the ongoing demonstrations.

Journalists told KUNA that the activists started fires at the bridge entrance, prompting rapid intervention squads of the interior ministry to intervene and push them away from the causeway. In Basra, the local radio station, “Al-Merbed,” reported that students continued a sit-in at the compound of Karma Ali Faculty and others demonstrated at a Al-Bahria Public Square in the city center.

Meanwhile, the teachers union called on the educators to hold a demonstration in all governorates Wednesday. Iraq has been witnessing demonstrations since Oct 1. The protestors demand better living conditions, utilities and clampdown on administrative graft. Oddly, poverty has noticeably spread in the nation that has a huge oil wealth

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