Great force fortifies Green Zone ahead of massive protest

[k98nights]

Great force fortifies Green Zone ahead of massive protest

09/09/2011 10:54

Baghdad, Sept.9 (AKnews)- The security forces in Baghdad imposed strict security measures on the Tahrir Square and Green Zone in central Baghdad in case the massive demonstration on Friday leads to turmoil.

The civil society organizations have called for massive protest rally, dubbed ‘Friday of Denouncement of Bad Services and Suppression of Freedoms.’

Thousands are expected to march in the protest show today which is to condemn among other issues the murder of a reporter who used to criticize the inefficiencies of the government.

Journalist Hadi al-Mahdi, had a weekly program on a Baghdad radio channel on which he called on the government to provide better water, electricity and other public services to Iraqis. He also used Facebook to organize demonstrations every Friday in Baghdad.

The 30-year-old man was shot Thursday by gunmen using silenced pistols in the capital’s mostly Shiite neighborhood of al-Jidida.

A source told AKnews late last night security forces were deployed intensively around the gates to the Green Zone, where parliament and most governmental and U.S. institutions are located, and also around Tahrir Square, the focal point of the public protests in the past few months.

The force has been ordered to prevent the demonstrators from approaching the Green Zone. Baghdad Operations Command has also ordered to confine the rally to Tahrir Square, the source who asked anonymity said.

PM Nouri al-Maliki has vowed the demonstrators will be protected, provided that the rally is legal and peaceful.

Dozens of protesters were killed by security forces in public demonstrations against corruption and lack of services late February.

The protests across many cities in central and southern Iraqi provinces on Feb.25 compelled the PM declare a 100-day limit for his new cabinet to reform and meet the needs of the public.

After the respite there was actually a cabinet downsize and some official were replaced. Yet, civilians still demand basic services as water and electricity desperately.

By Raman Brusk

http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/260956/