Dozens injured outside Baghdad’s Green Zone in clashes over Iraqi election results (Video)

Videos published on social media show protesters who claim that security forces were pelted with stones in the recent parliamentary election. According to local media reports, officers wearing riot gear and armed with shields responded with tear gas.

A mob of about 300 reportedly attempted to break into the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses Iraqi government buildings and foreign embassies – which includes the US diplomatic complex – but apparently failed to do so.

The protesters also put up tents to stage a sit-in near the area. It is being told that the camp was set on fire on Friday evening.

The video shows areas of Baghdad caught on fire and covered with smoke.

Gunshots can be heard in some videos, although the source is unclear. Reuters and Al Jazeera reported that police fired ammunition into the air to disperse the protesters.

The protesters are believed to be supporters of Iranian Shia parties, which suffered heavy losses in the October 10 parliamentary election. The parties challenged the results alleging vote fraud, including irregularities in counting. However, the Election Commission has already rejected most of the 1,300 appeals submitted by a group of Shia organisations.

On Friday, people took to the streets in view of this, pending the final results of the counting of votes. “Last Chance for the Government” [and the] The Election Commission will recount all the votes.” According to Al Jazeera.

Clashes and riots apparently continued into the night, as videos on social media showed protesters setting up barricades and setting them on fire, as well as burning parked cars.

There have been unconfirmed reports of at least two deaths among protesters, but the rumors have not been confirmed by the health ministry. The ministry said in a statement on Friday that most of the 125 injured were security and law enforcement officers, and only 27 of the wounded were civilians.

No gunshot wounds and no deaths were reported, the ministry said, adding that most of the injuries were mild to moderate.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered an investigation into Friday’s violence.

The early elections held last month were in response to mass protests in 2019 against corruption, poor services and unemployment. The vote lost support to several Shia parties, but the biggest gains were made by a political force led by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, which won 73 seats in parliament out of a total of 329. Al-Sadr’s bloc is now expected to seek coalition partners to form a new government.

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