Iraq protests: Capital city Baghdad blocked as unrest escalates

protestors have blocked main ros in Iraqi capital, Baghd, as mass anti-government protests escalated. demonstrators were seen parking ir cars at major junctions of city and police did t intervene. Scores of people have taken part in two phases of protests that started on October 1 demanding more jobs, better services and an end to corruption.
protestors have been protesting in Baghd defying a curfew order introduced in late October. More than 250 have been killed in clashes with security forces. President of Iraq said last week that Prime Minister would resign if political parties could agree on his replacement. Protestors closed main ros of capital on Sunday.

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Schools and colleges remained closed

Schools and colleges have been closed across Baghd and various regions of Iraq and students were seen staging sit-ins at ir schools. Offices have been closed and government officers were t allowed to reach offices by protestors.
main centre of protest has been Baghd's central Tahrir Square. Protestors have been attempting to cross green zone which houses government buildings and foreign embassies. Similar protests were taking place in city of Kut, south-east of Baghd. Many government offices and schools were shut on Sunday in a number of cities and towns furr south.

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Background of protests

Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi, a veteran Shia Islamist politician with a background in ecomics, became a Prime Minister just over a year ago, promising reforms that are t being provided as claimed by protesters. people angered by his failure to tackle high unemployment, endemic corruption and poor public services protested in Baghd for first time on October 1. protests escalated and spre across country after security personnel countered with dely force.

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