Kurdish Demonstration Turns Violent In Northern Iraq
A peaceful demonstration erupted in northern Iraq on Friday as hundreds of Kurdish protesters clashed with riot police, security officials said.
responsible for the safety of angry demonstrators stormed the stores in downtown Sulaimaniya, threw stones at riot police and Kurdish swung batons when police pushed back. At least 50 people were injured, including 37 members of the riot police, police and health officials in Sulaimaniya said.
About 1,500 Kurdish demonstrators had gathered in the central square of Sulaimaniya early in the morning to continue their demands for political reform and to protest against corruption, lack of basic services and unemployment, security officials.
Unrest in the Kurdish city, which will begin in February, killing seven people and injuring over 200, health officials said.
Last month, attackers masked demonstrators burned the tents during the night on the main square Bardagi-Sara, where hundreds of demonstrators gathered later that day for another protest against Massoud Barzani, president of the Regional Government Kurdistan, witnesses told CNN at the time.
Some protesters have blamed the attack on the Kurdish security forces, who denied any involvement.
