Iraqi security forces fired live bullets and used tear gas against a few hundred protesters gathered in central Baghdad on Thursday, hours after a curfew was announced in the Iraqi capital on the heels of two days of deadly violence that gripped the country amid protests against government corruption and Iran's meddling in the country's internal affairs.
Before dawn, explosions were heard inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, home to government offices and foreign embassies. The US-led coalition said an investigation is underway, adding that no coalition forces or assets were hit.
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The curfew was announced early Thursday following a meeting of Iraq's top leaders to discuss anti-government protests that have engulfed the country.
Authorities say the curfew is meant to "protect general peace" and protect protesters from "infiltrators" who committed attacks against security forces and public property. It excludes travelers to and from the Baghdad airport.
Two border crossings to Iraq, including one widely used by Iranian pilgrims, have been closed because of unrest in Iraq, the semi-official news agency Mehr quoted Iran's border guards commander as saying on Thursday.
A senior Iranian pilgrimage official told state television that the Khosravi border crossing was closed, but other crossings were open ahead of an annual Shiite Muslim pilgrimage in Iraq.
Baghdad streets were largely deserted Thursday morning. In central Tahrir Square, hundreds of young protesters were gathered, and police fired tear gas canisters every now and then.
"Whether there is curfew or not we are going to continue," shouted one protester in Tahrir Square.
When the demonstrators tried to reach a nearby bridge that leads to the Green Zone Thursday morning, Iraqi security forces opened fire from automatic rifles as well as tear gas.
Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr was among the first to condemn the police violence.
The leader of the largest political party in the Iraqi Parliament, al-Sadri is known for his critical stance toward Iran. He has called for an official investigative committee to look into the police's response to the protests.
The US-led coalition, which has a presence on the ground in Iraq, issued a statement saying it is monitoring the protests and added that "we call on all sides to reduce tensions and reject violence" as the loss of life and injuries among civilians and Iraqi security forces was deeply concerning.
Coalition spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III, said that explosions were heard in the Green Zone before dawn Thursday. He said Iraqi forces were investigating and that no coalition facility was struck.
The protests, which have been concentrated in Baghdad and predominantly Shiite provinces in the country's south, appear to be spontaneous and without political leadership, organized by people on social media against corruption and lack of basic services, such as electricity and water.
Dozens of university graduates unable to find jobs in the corruption-plagued but oil-rich country also joined the rallies.
Eleven people were killed during protests overnight in two southern Iraqi cities, including a policeman, police and medical sources said on Thursday, raising the death toll to 18 since anti-government protests turned violent two days ago.
Seven protesters and a policeman died in Nassiriya during clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Four more people were killed in the city of Amara, the sources said.
On Thursday morning, Baghdad residents said the Internet was still cut in much of the country. NetBlocks, which monitors cybersecurity and internet governance, reported that Internet access was cut off across much of Iraq and social and messaging apps blocked amid the growing unrest.
The unrest spread quickly from small-scale protests in Baghdad on Tuesday. At least two people were killed that day as security forces opened live fire and shot water cannon and tear gas. Five more were killed on Wednesday, including a child. Hundreds have been wounded including demonstrators and police.
During Wednesday's protests, demonstrators decried the country's allegiance to foreign states and government corruption, which they called a "betrayal of the homeland."
Sargon, a Baghdad native, told Israel Hayom he supported the protests.
"We are interested in freedom. Iran doesn't even bother to hide its intentions of using Iraq as a battlefield to protect itself in the wars it is starting. I support the protesters with all my heart. We deserve liberty and freedom," he said.
Another Baghdad resident and engineer by profession told Israel Hayom: "What you are seeing is a revolution by the Iraqi people against the worst government in the world – a gang of thieves. We will achieve victory for the people and death for those who betrayed Baghdad."
According to reports, police responded with riot dispersal measures and live fire after protesters tried to break into Baghdad International Airport.
The protests are the largest against Abdul Mahdi's government, which took office nearly a year ago, and the largest in the country since September 2018.
