People draw graffiti on a wall in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 13, 2019. Graffiti spread in Tahrir Square in downtown Baghdad, drawn by demonstrators who have been on anti-government protest since early October. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)
BAGHDAD, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Iraqis continued Thursday anti-government demonstrations in central Baghdad over corruption, lack of jobs and public services, a security source said.
Early in the morning, dozens of protesters tried to advance to al-Khallani Square, which is under control of the Iraqi security forces, sparking a clash with the riot police who fired tear gas canisters and used water cannons to disperse the crowds, a security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The demonstrators' advance was aimed at taking control of the square and pushing across the nearby al-Ahrar Bridge, also known as Senak Bridge, to reach the Green Zone on the other side of the Tigris River, the source said, adding that the clash resulted in the killing of two protesters and the wounding of some 50 others, including security members.
However, Qais al-Mohammadawi, head of Baghdad Operations Command, denied any casualty during the day, confirming that there are no such reports and the troops did not use excessive force.
On Wednesday, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said it will continue to engage with all Iraqi parties to meet the demands of the ongoing anti-government protests over worsening living conditions in the country.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, special representative of the UN secretary-general for Iraq, also head of UNAMI, said in her address to the Iraqi parliament that since the beginning of the protests, UNAMI has actively reached out to a wide range of Iraqi parties.
"Based on these discussions and with full respect for Iraq's sovereignty, we have proposed a number of concrete steps as a start, as a way forward to confidence-building and reform," she noted.
Since the start of the protests in early October, at least 319 people have been killed and around 15,000 protesters and the security forces injured, according to Hennis-Plasschaert.
"The United Nations is ready to engage or continues to engage with all parties to facilitate constructive dialogue. We will continue to be a partner for all Iraqis," the UN envoy concluded.
