Iraq: 3 protesters killed
outside Iranian consulate
 |
| Demonstrators llight fires in front of the Iranian consulate in Kerbala |
Iraqi security forces shot dead at least 3 protesters in
Kerbala on Sunday night, as they demonstrated outside the Iranian consulate.
By Devin Watkins
Dozens of Iraqi protesters gathered in the Shi’ite holy city
of Karbala on Sunday night.
They set tires ablaze and attacked Iran’s local consulate.
Demonstrators chanted slogans like “Iran out, Kerbala
remains free”.
Some threw firebombs over the walls, others scaled the
concrete barriers, and an attempt was made to take down the Iranian flag flying
on the property. They didn’t succeed.
Iraqi security forces showed up and mowed down dozens of
protesters with live fire, killing 3 people and wounding 19 others.
Violent protests
The incident is the latest in a series of protests that have
rocked Iraq since early October, in which hundreds of people have died.
Most of the anger is directed at Iraq’s government, which
people increasingly consider corrupt and beholden to foreign interests.
But protesters are increasingly directing their ire at
neighboring Shi’ite Iran.
Anti-Iranian sentiment
Analysts say the spread of anti-Iranian sentiment within
Shi’ite parts of Iraq means people are beginning to care less about sectarian
identity and more about economic concerns.
Despite the country’s great oil wealth, many Iraqis live in
poverty and lack access to clean water, healthcare, or education.
Pope Francis recently called on all people in Iraq to pursue the path of
dialogue, not violence.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét