Baghdad square reopens, 1 yr after protest closure

Iraqi security forces on Saturday reopened Baghd's Tahrir Square, epicenter of country's anti-government protests and a key bridge which h been sealed off by demonstrators since protests began in October last year.

Security forces dismantled protesters' tents in Tahrir square early Saturday and re-opened Al-Jumhuriyah Bridge which connects heavily fortified Green Zone, where most government and foreign embassies are based, with main protest camp at Tahrir Square.

In Baghd, key squares and ros that h previously been a focal point of protest violence were re-opened for vehicle access.

In October 2019, mass anti-government protests erupted in Baghd and across Iraq's predominately Shiite south as tens of thousands of angry Iraqi youth took to streets to decry rampant government corruption, poor services, including electricity, and unemployment.

demonstrations have been also critical of high unemployment and Iranian influence in Iraqi politics.

Crackdowns by security forces have killed at least 600 protesters.

Pressure from protests le to resignation of Prime Minister el Abdul-Mahdi.

His successor, Mustafa al-Khimi has vowed to meet protesters' demands by holding early elections and investigating protester deaths.

spre of coronavirus h halted mass rallies and prompted most protesters to leave, with only a few remaining at tent sit-in at Tahrir Square.