Massive protests continued in Iraq's capital city Baghdad and its southern region on Sunday as thousands of demonstrators gathered around streets and public squares undeterred by the use of violence to "scare" them.&nbsp;

The protesters'&nbsp;unrelenting resistance continued despite late <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-jumps-to-17-in-attack-on-protesters-camp-in-iraq-266818">Friday's violence</a> when unidentified gunmen attacked a major protester camp near Tahrir Square, which killed nearly 20 demonstrators and four cops, news agency AFP reported.

In capital city Baghdad, massive anti-regime demonstrators thronged Tahrir Square on Sunday, one of the central points of the movement.&nbsp;

The support for the movement has risen despite the incident of violence on Friday.&nbsp;

"They're trying to scare us in whatever ways they can, but we're staying in the streets," said a 23-year-old protester.&nbsp;

In Nasiriyah, protesters gathered along with representatives of influential tribes at a place where dozens of demonstrators were killed last month.&nbsp;

"We will keep protesting until the regime collapses," a student said.

In other southern cities in Iraq, Sunday, the first working day in Iraq, was declared as a public holiday for civil servants.&nbsp;Roadblocks and strikes affected work in Hilla, Amara, Diwaniya, Kut and the shrine city of Najaf. &nbsp;

The unrest in Iraq intensified on Saturday when an armed drone attacked the home of Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr.

Sadr, who earlier backed the current government, has shown his solidarity with the protesters.&nbsp;

Sadr's supporters also condemned Friday's attack, claiming&nbsp;that he was safe and in Iran when his home was attacked.

More than two months have passed since the protests first began in Iraq over issues such as corruption and unemployment, among others, killing more than 400 people and injuring nearly 20,000.

The discontent&nbsp;remained despite the resignation of Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, as protesters demand a complete change in the political system.&nbsp;

Iraq is the world's 12th most corrupt country as per a report by the watchdog group Transparency International. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

Massive protests continued in Iraq's capital city Baghdad and its southern region on Sunday as thousands of demonstrators gathered around streets and public squares undeterred by the use of violence to "scare" them.

Massive protests continued in Iraq's capital city Baghdad and its southern region on Sunday as thousands of demonstrators gathered around streets and public squares undeterred by the use of violence to "scare" them. The protesters' unrelenting resistance continued despite late Friday's violence when unidentified gunmen attacked a major protester camp near Tahrir Square, which killed nearly 20 demonstrators and four cops, news agency AFP reported. In capital city Baghdad, massive anti-regime demonstrators thronged Tahrir Square on Sunday, one of the central points of the movement. The support for the movement has risen despite the incident of violence on Friday. "They're trying to scare us in whatever ways they can, but we're staying in the streets," said a 23-year-old protester. In Nasiriyah, protesters gathered along with representatives of influential tribes at a place where dozens of demonstrators were killed last month. "We will keep protesting until the regime collapses," a student said. In other southern cities in Iraq, Sunday, the first working day in Iraq, was declared as a public holiday for civil servants. Roadblocks and strikes affected work in Hilla, Amara, Diwaniya, Kut and the shrine city of Najaf. The unrest in Iraq intensified on Saturday when an armed drone attacked the home of Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr. Sadr, who earlier backed the current government, has shown his solidarity with the protesters. Sadr's supporters also condemned Friday's attack, claiming that he was safe and in Iran when his home was attacked. More than two months have passed since the protests first began in Iraq over issues such as corruption and unemployment, among others, killing more than 400 people and injuring nearly 20,000. The discontent remained despite the resignation of Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, as protesters demand a complete change in the political system. Iraq is the world's 12th most corrupt country as per a report by the watchdog group Transparency International. (With inputs from agencies)

Massive protests choke Baghdad, southern Iraq despite Friday's attack

The anti-regime demonstrators remained defiant and continued their protests in Iraq's capital and south on Saturday despite the death toll in the overnight attack on the protesters camp jumping to 23.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pro-paramilitary-demonstrators-flood-iraqi-protest-camp-266471">unrest in Iraq </a>took another worrying turn on Saturday when an armed drone targeted the home of Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose supporters condemned Friday's attack.&nbsp;

More than 127 anti-government protesters were wounded in the stabbing and firing incident near the Tahrir square in Baghdad, sources said. Three cops were also killed in the incident.

Late on Friday, a group of armed men in pick-up trucks attacked a large building, which is one of the main protest camps, killing 14 people. More than 40 people were wounded on Friday near Baghdad's Al-Sinek bridge.

The violence on&nbsp;Friday has taken the overall death toll past 440 and nearly 20,000 injured, as per an AFP tally&nbsp;compiled from medics, police and a national rights commission.

Young men prayed over an Iraqi flag in central Baghdad for those who lost their lives on the late-night attack on the previous night. The mourners also sobbed heavily, their shoulders shaking. "They fired intensely, mercilessly on the protesters," one witness said.

More join the protests

After Friday's violence, the demonstrators urged support for their movement through social media. Many of the new demonstrators are from&nbsp;Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades), a group&nbsp;headed by Sadr.

Sadr, who earlier backed the current regime, showed his support to the protests. Witnesses said that Sadr's supporters were present in large numbers in the Tahrir square before Saturday morning.&nbsp;

The sources also said that Sadr is in Iran currently, adding only the external wall was damaged in the drone attack.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dozens of Sadr's supporters gathered around his house after the attack and chanted slogans "we're all your soldiers" while waving Iraqi flags and cleric's picture.

Thousands of demonstrators have occupied Tahrir square and nearby bridges for weeks, demanding a complete change in the current political system.&nbsp;

Tension prevails

Following Saturday's attack, truckloads of armed men blocked the main road near Tahrir square on Saturday, firing weapons and shouting, witnesses said.&nbsp;After this incident, the army personnel were deployed on the street.&nbsp;

In&nbsp;Nasiriyah in south, the usual gathering of massive crowds was observed as the demonstrators expressed solidarity with the victims of the violence on Friday.&nbsp;

Reacting on the attack on the protesters, President Barham Saleh called on authorities to "identify the criminals and bring them to justice".&nbsp;

Over two months have passed since the unrest first began in Iraq which forced Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to resign a week ago.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP and Reuters)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The anti-regime demonstrators remained defiant and continued their protests in Iraq's capital and south on Saturday despite the death toll in the overnight attack on the protesters camp jumping to 23.

The anti-regime demonstrators remained defiant and continued their protests in Iraq's capital and south on Saturday despite the death toll in the overnight attack on the protesters camp jumping to 23. The unrest in Iraq took another worrying turn on Saturday when an armed drone targeted the home of Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose supporters condemned Friday's attack. More than 127 anti-government protesters were wounded in the stabbing and firing incident near the Tahrir square in Baghdad, sources said. Three cops were also killed in the incident. Late on Friday, a group of armed men in pick-up trucks attacked a large building, which is one of the main protest camps, killing 14 people. More than 40 people were wounded on Friday near Baghdad's Al-Sinek bridge. The violence on Friday has taken the overall death toll past 440 and nearly 20,000 injured, as per an AFP tally compiled from medics, police and a national rights commission. Young men prayed over an Iraqi flag in central Baghdad for those who lost their lives on the late-night attack on the previous night. The mourners also sobbed heavily, their shoulders shaking. "They fired intensely, mercilessly on the protesters," one witness said. More join the protests After Friday's violence, the demonstrators urged support for their movement through social media. Many of the new demonstrators are from Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades), a group headed by Sadr. Sadr, who earlier backed the current regime, showed his support to the protests. Witnesses said that Sadr's supporters were present in large numbers in the Tahrir square before Saturday morning. The sources also said that Sadr is in Iran currently, adding only the external wall was damaged in the drone attack. Dozens of Sadr's supporters gathered around his house after the attack and chanted slogans "we're all your soldiers" while waving Iraqi flags and cleric's picture. Thousands of demonstrators have occupied Tahrir square and nearby bridges for weeks, demanding a complete change in the current political system. Tension prevails Following Saturday's attack, truckloads of armed men blocked the main road near Tahrir square on Saturday, firing weapons and shouting, witnesses said. After this incident, the army personnel were deployed on the street. In Nasiriyah in south, the usual gathering of massive crowds was observed as the demonstrators expressed solidarity with the victims of the violence on Friday. Reacting on the attack on the protesters, President Barham Saleh called on authorities to "identify the criminals and bring them to justice". Over two months have passed since the unrest first began in Iraq which forced Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to resign a week ago. (With inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Iraq: Undeterred protests after 23 die in attack on protesters camp

Six protesters were killed Sunday in Iraq's south, where resurging anti-government demonstrations turned up the heat on paralysed politicians facing the country's largest grassroots movement in decades.

Three demonstrators were killed and around 50 wounded in clashes with security forces near the key southern port of Umm Qasr, the Iraqi Human Rights Commission reported.&nbsp;

An AFP correspondent said security forces had fired live rounds at protesters trying to block access to the port.

Since October 1, Iraq's capital and majority-Shiite south have been swept by mass demonstrations over corruption, lack of jobs and poor services that have escalated into calls for an overhaul of the ruling system.&nbsp;

Top leaders have publicly acknowledged the demands as legitimate and promised measures to appease protesters, including hiring drives, electoral reform and a cabinet reshuffle.

But the rallies have continued, waning on some days but swelling when demonstrators felt politicians were stalling.

On Sunday, protesters in the southern city of Nasiriyah blockaded five main bridges, shut down schools and burned tyres outside public offices in anger.

They blocked access to oil fields and companies around the city, torching as well its Shiite endowment centre, a government body that manages religious sites.

Medical sources said overnight three protesters had been shot dead and at least 47 others wounded by security forces in the city, some 300 kilometres (200 miles) south of the capital Baghdad.

An estimated 350 people have been killed and thousands wounded since October 1, according to a tally compiled by AFP as authorities are not providing precise or updated figures.

That makes the protests Iraq's deadliest grassroots movement in decades, but also its most widespread.

Live rounds in Karbala&nbsp;

The rural and tribalistic south has carried the torch of the movement for weeks, with students and teachers leading rallies outside schools and public offices.

In an attempt to resume classes, the education ministry issued a directive for schools to open normally on Sunday, the first day of the workweek in Iraq.

But protesters in Nasiriyah defied the order and shut down schools anyway, AFP's correspondent said.&nbsp;

In the oil-rich southern city of Basra, demonstrators blocked main roads just before dawn, including those leading to the ports of Umm Qasr and Khor al-Zubair.

The ports, which bring in food and medicine to Iraq but also export fuel products, have seen some delays in loading and offloading due to the unrest in recent weeks.

Clashes also pitted protesters against security forces overnight in Karbala, one of Iraq's two Shiite holy cities.

The two sides lobbed Molotov cocktails at each other from behind barricades set up in small alleyways.

"They're throwing Molotov cocktails at us and at midnight, they started shooting live rounds," one demonstrator said.

The streets were lit only by fires from the exploding makeshift grenades and green laser pointers used by demonstrators to disrupt the riot police's vision.

"Our demands are clear: the downfall of this corrupt government," said another demonstrator, his face wrapped in a black scarf.

Budget discussions&nbsp;

Iraq is the 12th most corrupt country in the world, says Transparency International, and many protesters say the current political class is to blame.

They accuse elites of awarding public sector jobs based on bribes, nepotism or sectarianism, leading to an unemployment rate of 25 per cent.&nbsp;

Iraq's cabinet is currently discussing the 2020 budget before it is submitted to parliament and government sources say it is expected to be one of the country's largest yet.&nbsp;

Sunday's violence came a day after the surprise visit of United States Vice President Mike Pence to Iraq, where he dropped in on American troops stationed in the country's west and met top leaders in the Kurdish region in the north.

He did not, however, meet officials in Baghdad for "security reasons".&nbsp;

The US and Iraq have been close allies since the former led the 2003 invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein, but ties are now at their "coldest", officials from both countries have told AFP.&nbsp;

Six protesters were killed Sunday in Iraq's south, where resurging anti-government demonstrations turned up the heat on paralysed politicians facing the country's largest grassroots movement in decades.

Six protesters were killed Sunday in Iraq's south, where resurging anti-government demonstrations turned up the heat on paralysed politicians facing the country's largest grassroots movement in decades. Three demonstrators were killed and around 50 wounded in clashes with security forces near the key southern port of Umm Qasr, the Iraqi Human Rights Commission reported. An AFP correspondent said security forces had fired live rounds at protesters trying to block access to the port. Since October 1, Iraq's capital and majority-Shiite south have been swept by mass demonstrations over corruption, lack of jobs and poor services that have escalated into calls for an overhaul of the ruling system. Top leaders have publicly acknowledged the demands as legitimate and promised measures to appease protesters, including hiring drives, electoral reform and a cabinet reshuffle. But the rallies have continued, waning on some days but swelling when demonstrators felt politicians were stalling. On Sunday, protesters in the southern city of Nasiriyah blockaded five main bridges, shut down schools and burned tyres outside public offices in anger. They blocked access to oil fields and companies around the city, torching as well its Shiite endowment centre, a government body that manages religious sites. Medical sources said overnight three protesters had been shot dead and at least 47 others wounded by security forces in the city, some 300 kilometres (200 miles) south of the capital Baghdad. An estimated 350 people have been killed and thousands wounded since October 1, according to a tally compiled by AFP as authorities are not providing precise or updated figures. That makes the protests Iraq's deadliest grassroots movement in decades, but also its most widespread. Live rounds in Karbala The rural and tribalistic south has carried the torch of the movement for weeks, with students and teachers leading rallies outside schools and public offices. In an attempt to resume classes, the education ministry issued a directive for schools to open normally on Sunday, the first day of the workweek in Iraq. But protesters in Nasiriyah defied the order and shut down schools anyway, AFP's correspondent said. In the oil-rich southern city of Basra, demonstrators blocked main roads just before dawn, including those leading to the ports of Umm Qasr and Khor al-Zubair. The ports, which bring in food and medicine to Iraq but also export fuel products, have seen some delays in loading and offloading due to the unrest in recent weeks. Clashes also pitted protesters against security forces overnight in Karbala, one of Iraq's two Shiite holy cities. The two sides lobbed Molotov cocktails at each other from behind barricades set up in small alleyways. "They're throwing Molotov cocktails at us and at midnight, they started shooting live rounds," one demonstrator said. The streets were lit only by fires from the exploding makeshift grenades and green laser pointers used by demonstrators to disrupt the riot police's vision. "Our demands are clear: the downfall of this corrupt government," said another demonstrator, his face wrapped in a black scarf. Budget discussions Iraq is the 12th most corrupt country in the world, says Transparency International, and many protesters say the current political class is to blame. They accuse elites of awarding public sector jobs based on bribes, nepotism or sectarianism, leading to an unemployment rate of 25 per cent. Iraq's cabinet is currently discussing the 2020 budget before it is submitted to parliament and government sources say it is expected to be one of the country's largest yet. Sunday's violence came a day after the surprise visit of United States Vice President Mike Pence to Iraq, where he dropped in on American troops stationed in the country's west and met top leaders in the Kurdish region in the north. He did not, however, meet officials in Baghdad for "security reasons". The US and Iraq have been close allies since the former led the 2003 invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein, but ties are now at their "coldest", officials from both countries have told AFP.

Six protesters killed in south Iraq as unrest intensifies

US Vice President Mike Pence avoided meeting Iraqi federal government leaders during a surprise trip Saturday to the country, where deadly anti-government protests have highlighted Washington's diminished influence.

In his first visit as vice president, Pence visited American troops at Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq's Anbar province, but was not expected to travel to the capital.

His trip came after weeks of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-dead-in-iraq-capital-as-top-cleric-bluntly-pushes-reform-263953">anti-government rallies </a>across Baghdad and the south.

Iraqi officials told AFP that Pence spoke to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi by telephone.

"There won't be a meeting as they had a phone call. The prime minister isn't going to Anbar" to meet Pence, one source said.

President Barham Saleh's office told AFP it was not aware Pence was coming to Iraq and had no meeting planned. The US embassy said it had no details to share.

Pence did met Iraqi Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani and his prime minister Masrour Barzani in Arbil, the Kurdish presidency said, publishing pictures of the encounters.

Pence tweeted images of himself and his wife speaking to US forces and carrying a roast turkey, traditionally served during the American Thanksgiving holiday celebrated next week.

"Happy Thanksgiving from Iraq. @SecondLady and I are so honoured to be with our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines here in Iraq!" he tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Happy Thanksgiving from Iraq. <a href="https://twitter.com/SecondLady?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecondLady</a> and I are so honored to be with our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines here in Iraq! We are so proud of you and thankful for you all! <a href="https://t.co/bzcM1fGgiG">pic.twitter.com/bzcM1fGgiG</a>
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/1198238137543053312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The visit echoed President Donald Trump's own surprise trip to Ain al-Asad a year ago, where he briefly met troops just after Christmas but controversially did not see officials in Baghdad.

Trump's visit was veiled in such secrecy that there was speculation most Iraqi authorities had not been told he president was coming.

Pence's trip came as the death toll from weeks of anti-government rallies across Iraq's capital and the south rose even further.

One protester killed&nbsp;

One protester was killed and 17 were wounded in clashes with security forces Saturday on the Al-Ahrar bridge in Baghdad, a medical source said.

Demonstrators have massed on three main bridges leading from their protest camp in Tahrir (Liberation) Square to the western bank of the river Tigris, where government offices and foreign embassies are based.

Since Thursday, nine protesters have been killed in skirmishes with security forces there.

Around 350 people have been killed and 15,000 wounded since demonstrations erupted on October 1 amid outrage over rampant government corruption and lack of jobs.&nbsp;

Protesters are demanding a total overhaul of the ruling system in place since the US-led invasion of 2003 that toppled then-dictator Saddam Hussein.

The US then dismantled Iraq's security forces and tried to rebuild the country's institutions by working closely with a newfound political class.

But ties are now at their "coldest" since 2003, American and Iraqi officials have told AFP.

Abdel Mahdi, in office for the past year, has yet to visit Washington amid frustrations in the White House that his office was "too close" to Tehran.

Tensions between the US and Iran have spiralled since Washington unilaterally pulled out of the 2015 deal over the latter's nuclear programme and began imposing a series of crushing sanctions.

Baghdad, which has close ties with both countries, has feared being caught in the middle.

Washington has already slapped sanctions on Iraqi officials, military factions and institutions with ties to blacklisted Iranian organisations.

'Not welcome in Iraq'&nbsp;

In July, the US singled out the leaders of two paramilitary groups in Iraq that Pence accused of being tied to Iran.

Rayan al-Kildani and Waad Qado -- the former a Christian and the latter a member of the Shabak minority -- were both sanctioned over "serious human rights abuse" by them or their organisations.

Kildani reacted to Pence's visit on Saturday, tweeting: "To the American vice president who came to Iraq stealthily... You are not welcome on Iraqi territory."

Kildani and Qado's factions belong to the Hashed al-Shaabi, a powerful Shiite-majority paramilitary network that includes many groups with close ties to Tehran.

Hashed leaders and Iran have been widely criticised in the recent protests, accused of defending the very government the demonstrators want to bring down.

Many of their offices have been burned in Iraq's restive south, the scene of new protests on Saturday.

US Vice President Mike Pence avoided meeting Iraqi federal government leaders during a surprise trip Saturday to the country, where deadly anti-government protests have highlighted Washington's diminished influence.

US Vice President Mike Pence avoided meeting Iraqi federal government leaders during a surprise trip Saturday to the country, where deadly anti-government protests have highlighted Washington's diminished influence. In his first visit as vice president, Pence visited American troops at Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq's Anbar province, but was not expected to travel to the capital. His trip came after weeks of anti-government rallies across Baghdad and the south. Iraqi officials told AFP that Pence spoke to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi by telephone. "There won't be a meeting as they had a phone call. The prime minister isn't going to Anbar" to meet Pence, one source said. President Barham Saleh's office told AFP it was not aware Pence was coming to Iraq and had no meeting planned. The US embassy said it had no details to share. Pence did met Iraqi Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani and his prime minister Masrour Barzani in Arbil, the Kurdish presidency said, publishing pictures of the encounters. Pence tweeted images of himself and his wife speaking to US forces and carrying a roast turkey, traditionally served during the American Thanksgiving holiday celebrated next week. "Happy Thanksgiving from Iraq. @SecondLady and I are so honoured to be with our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines here in Iraq!" he tweeted. Happy Thanksgiving from Iraq. @SecondLady and I are so honored to be with our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines here in Iraq! We are so proud of you and thankful for you all! pic.twitter.com/bzcM1fGgiG — Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) November 23, 2019 × The visit echoed President Donald Trump's own surprise trip to Ain al-Asad a year ago, where he briefly met troops just after Christmas but controversially did not see officials in Baghdad. Trump's visit was veiled in such secrecy that there was speculation most Iraqi authorities had not been told he president was coming. Pence's trip came as the death toll from weeks of anti-government rallies across Iraq's capital and the south rose even further. One protester killed One protester was killed and 17 were wounded in clashes with security forces Saturday on the Al-Ahrar bridge in Baghdad, a medical source said. Demonstrators have massed on three main bridges leading from their protest camp in Tahrir (Liberation) Square to the western bank of the river Tigris, where government offices and foreign embassies are based. Since Thursday, nine protesters have been killed in skirmishes with security forces there. Around 350 people have been killed and 15,000 wounded since demonstrations erupted on October 1 amid outrage over rampant government corruption and lack of jobs. Protesters are demanding a total overhaul of the ruling system in place since the US-led invasion of 2003 that toppled then-dictator Saddam Hussein. The US then dismantled Iraq's security forces and tried to rebuild the country's institutions by working closely with a newfound political class. But ties are now at their "coldest" since 2003, American and Iraqi officials have told AFP. Abdel Mahdi, in office for the past year, has yet to visit Washington amid frustrations in the White House that his office was "too close" to Tehran. Tensions between the US and Iran have spiralled since Washington unilaterally pulled out of the 2015 deal over the latter's nuclear programme and began imposing a series of crushing sanctions. Baghdad, which has close ties with both countries, has feared being caught in the middle. Washington has already slapped sanctions on Iraqi officials, military factions and institutions with ties to blacklisted Iranian organisations. 'Not welcome in Iraq' In July, the US singled out the leaders of two paramilitary groups in Iraq that Pence accused of being tied to Iran. Rayan al-Kildani and Waad Qado -- the former a Christian and the latter a member of the Shabak minority -- were both sanctioned over "serious human rights abuse" by them or their organisations. Kildani reacted to Pence's visit on Saturday, tweeting: "To the American vice president who came to Iraq stealthily... You are not welcome on Iraqi territory." Kildani and Qado's factions belong to the Hashed al-Shaabi, a powerful Shiite-majority paramilitary network that includes many groups with close ties to Tehran. Hashed leaders and Iran have been widely criticised in the recent protests, accused of defending the very government the demonstrators want to bring down. Many of their offices have been burned in Iraq's restive south, the scene of new protests on Saturday.

American vice president avoids Baghdad leaders on surprise Iraq visit