May 1, 2016
Baghdad: Thousands of anti-government protesters (click here) ended their mass demonstration in Baghdad’s Green Zone on Sunday after breaking into the fortified area and storming the parliament, as Iraq’s premier called for rioters to be pursued and punished.
Earlier on Sunday, protesters pulled down or scaled slabs of heavy concrete blast wall to enter the fortified area where Iraq’s main government institutions are located, the culmination of weeks of political turmoil and inaction by parliament.
While there is still the potential for escalation, the situation was calm earlier on Sunday, with protesters touring the area and taking photos of places they have rarely if ever been able to access.
“This is the first time I’ve been here since I came with my school under Saddam [Hussain],” said 32-year-old Yousuf Al Assadi, who took a “selfie” in front of the Unknown Soldier’s monument....
