Curfew imposed after violent protests in Baghdad

Curfew has been declared in Baghdad starting early on Thursday until further notice owing to an anti-government demonstrations in Baghdad and several other cities of Iraq.

The Prime Minister of Iraq Adel Abdul Mahdi announced late on Wednesday, after two days of nationwide anti-government protests turned violent.

According to the statement issued by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces Abdul Mahdi, “all vehicles and individuals are totally forbidden to move in Baghdad as of 5 am today, Thursday, and until further notice.”

The statement further stated that travelers to and from Baghdad airport, ambulances, government employees in hospitals, electricity, and water departments, and religious pilgrims are exempt from the curfew.

Abdul Mahdi said it was up to provincial governors to decide whether to declare curfews in their provinces in Iraq.

Yesterday, At least two people were killed and 200 wounded in an anti-government demonstrations in Baghdad and several other cities.

Thousands of people, including university graduates, took to the streets of the capital city of Iraq and other cities to protest against unemployment, corruption and poor services.

The demonstrations were organized on social media and began with a peaceful gathering of some 1,000 people, who marched into Baghdad’s central Tahrir Square.

But things took a turn when police employed water cannon, and hurled stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

In the main protest in Baghdad, demonstrators clashed with security forces who used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse those protesting.

The government blamed “groups of riot inciters” for the violence and said the security forces were working to ensure the safety of peaceful protesters.