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Gallery|Human Rights

In Pictures: Street protests intensify in Iraq

Schools closed in several areas on Sunday as part of mounting pressure on the government to step down.

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An Iraqi demonstrator is seen next to burning tires as he blocks the road during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq November 3, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily
More than 250 people, mostly demonstrators, have been killed and 11,000 injured in Iraq's protests since early October, according to the independent Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights. [Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters]
Published On 3 Nov 20193 Nov 2019

Iraqi protesters blocked roads in Baghdad on Sunday to increase pressure on the government to resign after more than a week of renewed mass demonstrations.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square and across southern Iraq in recent days, calling for the overhaul of the political system established after the 2003 US-led invasion.

Protesters have also taken over a large tower at the square that was abandoned after it was damaged in the war.

Thousands of students skipped classes to take part in the protests, blaming the political elite for widespread corruption, high unemployment and poor public services.

Security forces have fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition at the protesters, killing more than 250 in two waves of demonstrations since early October.

Last week, President Barham Salih said Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi is willing to resign once political leaders agree on a replacement.

He also called for new election law and said he would approve early elections once it is enacted, but that process could take weeks or even months.

The protests have only grown since his announcement.

Anti-government protesters march close to the Joumhouriya Bridge that leads to the Green Zone government area, during ongoing protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
On Sunday, protesters in Baghdad and across Iraq blocked main roads. [Hadi Mizban/AP Photo]
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A woman holds a flag as anti-government protesters gather near Basra provincial council building during ongoing protests in Basra, Iraq, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani)
Most schools across Iraq were shut in response to the call and their students flocked to the protests, locals said. [Nabil al-Jurani/AP Photo]
An anti-government protester hangs on his makeshift gear bottles of solution to relieve the effects of tear gas, fired by riot police against demonstrators in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square during continuing
An anti-government protester hangs bottles of a solution to relieve the effects of tear gas, fired by riot police at demonstrators at Baghdad's Tahrir Square. [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]
Iraqi demonstrators are seen inside the high-rise building, called by Iraqi the Turkish Restaurant Building, during anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq November 2, 2019. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah T
Iraqi demonstrators are seen inside a high-rise building, called the Turkish Restaurant Building, during anti-government protests in Baghdad. [Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters]
An Iraqi female demonstrator takes part in ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq November 1, 2019. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
An Iraqi female demonstrator takes part in ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad. [Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters]
An Iraqi demonstrator pulls a burning tire as he blocks the road during ongoing anti-government protests, in Baghdad, Iraq November 3, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousily
An Iraqi demonstrator pulls a burning tyre as he blocks the road during ongoing anti-government protests. [Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters]
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An aerial view shows Iraqi protesters gathering at Baghdad''s Tahrir square near al-Jumhuriya bridge which leads to the high-security Green Zone across the Tigris River, during ongoing anti-government
Protesters gathering at Baghdad's Tahrir Square near Al-Jumhuriya Bridge, which leads to the high-security Green Zone across the Tigris River. [AFP]
Iraqi protesters dressed as Pikachu and Mickey Mouse take part in ongoing anti-government demonstrations in the southern city of Diwaniyah on November 3, 2019. Protesters in Iraq''s capital and the cou
Iraqi protesters dressed as Pikachu and Mickey Mouse take part in ongoing anti-government demonstrations in the southern city of Diwaniyah. [Haidar Hamdani/AFP]
An anti-government protester fires a slingshot as they block the port of Umm Qasr during ongoing anti-government protests, in Basra, Iraq, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jourani)
An anti-government protester fires a slingshot as they block the port of Umm Qasr during ongoing anti-government protests in Basra. [Nabil al-Jourani/AP Photo]
Iraqi protesters rest at Baghdad''s Tahrir square during ongoing anti-government demonstrations on November 2, 2019. Iraqi security forces clashed with anti-government protesters in the early hours of
Street protests have been witnessed in two waves since early October. Demonstrators have decried corruption, lack of jobs and poor access to electricity and clean water in the oil-rich country. [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]

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