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Iraqi cleric condemns use of force, 11 protesters wounded
[EN.ANNAHAR] Iraq’s most powerful religious figure Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani reiterated Friday his condemnation of the use of force against anti-government protesters as the mass movement enters a critical juncture and political blocs tussle over naming a new premier.

Meanwhile,
...back at the pie fight, Bella opened her mouth at precisely the wrong moment...
influential and radical holy man Moqtada Tater al-Sadr
...hereditary Iraqi holy man and leader of a political movement in Iraq. He spends most of his time in Iran, safely out of the line of fire, where he's learning to be an ayatollah. Formerly an Iranian catspaw, though lately he's gagged over some of their more outlandish antics...
called for his followers to return to the street, one week after he withdrew support for anti-government demonstrators camped out in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. The move comes one day before a deadline set by Iraq’s president to select the next prime minister runs out.

Al-Sistani’s comments came as unrest continued in Baghdad’s Khilani and Wathba squares, where at least 11 demonstrators were maimed Friday by security forces firing tear gas canisters to disperse crowds, according to security and medical officials. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The area has become a flash point in the recent escalation staged by demonstrators to refocus public attention on the demands of the four-month protest movement after a U.S. Arclight airstrike
...KABOOM!...
that killed a top Iranian general in Baghdad monopolized Iraqi politics.


Posted by: Fred 2020-02-01
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=562420