Iraq protesters set fire to Gov offices

[zapped777]

I read an article earlier about this but this one has some additional info.

Iraqi protesters set fire to government offices REBECCA SANTANA From Associated Press February 16, 2011 3:25 PM EST BAGHDAD (AP) — About 2,000 demonstrators attacked government offices in a southern Iraqi province, ripping up pavement stones to hurl at a regional council headquarters in a protest over shoddy public services that left dozens of people injured, officials said.

The demonstration was among the most dramatic since Iraqis began venting their anger about dysfunctional government at all levels in relatively small protests across the country — an echo of the tumult happening across the Arab world. Unlike protesters in other countries demanding democracy or regime change, however, demonstrators in Iraq have focused on unemployment, corruption and a lack of electricity.

<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/news.earthlink.dart/news_300x250_top;abr=!ie;sz=300x250;ptile=5;ord=97153473?"><img style="float:right;margin-left:5px" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/news.earthlink.dart/news_300x250_top;abr=!ie;sz=300x250;ptile=5;ord=97153473?" border=0 height="250" width="300"></a> The top medical official in Wasit province, Diaa al-Aboudi, said 55 people were injured — including three critically — in the protests in the city of Kut, 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad. He said some of them were shot by police while others were hit by stones or suffered burns.

Kut police denied firing on the protesters and blamed the governor's bodyguards and private security guards at one of the buildings. The governor could not immediately be reached for comment. But al-Aboudi said witnesses and ambulance workers reported that police fired on the demonstrators. Al-Aboudi also said demonstrators threw stones at ambulances who came to rescue the wounded.

Protesters threw stones at the provincial council headquarters, set a trailer outside the building on fire and rushed inside the compound, said Sondos al-Dahabi, a spokeswoman for Wasit province. She added that authorities have imposed a curfew in the city as night fell.

Television footage obtained by The Associated Press showed billows of smoke, a palm tree on fire and protesters, many of them teenagers, filling the headquarters compound. The sound of gunshots could be heard and demonstrators could be seen riding on a commandeered police truck and armored personnel carrier, waving Iraqi flags.

Protesters also went to the governor's headquarters, leaving a mess in their wake before heading to the governor's house, al-Dahabi said.

According to the spokeswoman, the demonstrators tried to set fire to the governor's house, which was empty at the time. It was not clear whether the house was damaged.

Iraq is one of the few countries with a democratically elected government in the Middle East but leaders here have not been immune from the anger engulfing the region. Iraqis have a long list of grievances against their leaders including electricity that sometimes works only a few hours a day, unemployment that runs as high as 30 percent, and rampant corruption.

As security has improved in the country following the worst of the sectarian bloodshed of 2006 and 2007, attention has turned to quality of life and economic issues instead. Wasit is a mostly Shiite province bordering Iran and is one of Iraq's poorest regions.

"It is us who brought the governor and other officials to office through the provincial elections, but in return we got nothing," said Hassan Ali Murwah, one of the protesters. "We will repeat such protests, and no force on earth can stand against us."

<a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/news.earthlink.dart/news_300x250_bottom;abr=!ie;sz=300x250;ptile=5;ord=97153473?"><img style="float:right;margin-left:5px" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/news.earthlink.dart/news_300x250_bottom;abr=!ie;sz=300x250;ptile=5;ord=97153473?" border=0 height="250" width="300"></a> In the northern city of Sulaimaniyah, 160 miles (260 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad, hundreds of demonstrators also thronged the streets demanding better services.

Iraqi leaders have been eager to prevent a repeat of the scenarios played out in Egypt or Tunisia. Earlier this week, Iraq announced it would delay the purchase of American fighter jets and use the money to buy food for the poor. They've also vowed to reduce electricity tariffs.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has also announced he won't seek a third term when his current one expires in an attempt to set himself apart from Mideast leaders who have held onto power for decades.

__

Associated Press writers Hamid Ahmed in Baghdad, Yahya Barzanji in Sulaimaniyah and Sameer N. Yacoub in Amman, Jordan contributed to this report.

[easyrider]

I support them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go flames.

[Striker]

I hate to say it but, burn it down. It isn't like the government is trying to help the people. Now it is time for a new government. Sad, very sad.

[andy3978]

Did the goi really think they can do nothing for years and get away with it? The poor security situation is their own doing. Give people a government, electricity, clean water , a job and a currency with some buying power and see how fast things get better. It's prettyi simple really. The goi is getting everything they deserve.

[Striker]

Did the goi really think they can do nothing for years and get away with it? The poor security situation is their own doing. Give people a government, electricity, clean water , a job and a currency with some buying power and see how fast things get better. It's prettyi simple really. The goi is getting everything they deserve.

They aren't getting everything yet but it's comin, oh it's comin.Those will be headlines, Staring MILIKI!!!!

[Iraqbuck]

I support them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go flames.

If that is your position then sureley you are not one of those waiting on an RV? Security is mandatory before that can take place; and don't forget....We have American Troops and others over here...So thanks for supporting that which puts our lives at risk as we serve for you to hoepfully enjoy your dinar investment...Clueless..

[deenar]

I really don't usually support violence, but damn! These guys are finally seeing the light! Keep it going! At some point the green zone millionaires need to get the point!

If that is your position then sureley you are not one of those waiting on an RV? Security is mandatory before that can take place; and don't forget....We have American Troops and others over here...So thanks for supporting that which puts our lives at risk as we serve for you to hoepfully enjoy your dinar investment...Clueless..

You think that business as usual will make the GOI come around? The US troops are in the background. They will not be hurt by the Iraqi people demonstrating. The GOI will!!