Key bridges in Baghdad sealed off as Iraqi protests pick up pace
- Activists are demanding government reforms and have resisted efforts by security forces to snuff the public gatherings out
Striking Iraqis sealed off key bridges and avenues in Baghdad and across the south Sunday, boosting a weeks-long street movement that is demanding a government overhaul.
Sit-ins have become the go-to tactic for rallies that erupted in early October in fury over corruption, a lack of jobs and an out-of-touch political class.
They have resisted efforts by security forces to snuff the gatherings out and on Sunday thousands came out across the country after activists called for a general strike.
In the southern hotspots of Kut, Najaf and Diwaniyah schools and government offices were shut as swelling crowds hit the streets.
Protesters burned tyres to block roads in the oil-rich port city of Basra and outside Nasiriyah, prompting security forces to send reinforcements.
