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Iraqi PM Abdul Mahdi orders curfew lift in Baghdad amid protests

The armed forces will allow movement for humanitarian cases and travellers to and from Baghdad airport, he added.

Iraqi PM Abdul Mahdi orders curfew lift in Baghdad amid protests

(Photo: IANS)

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi ordered on Friday to lift the curfew in Baghdad. despite anti-government protests continuing in the capital city.

Mahdi, also the commander-in-chief of Iraqi forces, ordered to lift the curfew starting from 5 am in the early hours of Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister declared the curfew in Baghdad until further notice after two days of violent protests in the capital as well as in central and southern provinces.

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The armed forces will allow movement for humanitarian cases and travellers to and from Baghdad airport, he added.

Police officer Ahmed Khalaf said that the armed forces have started deployment of armoured vehicles to implement the curfew, Anadolu Agency reported.

Earlier this week, at least 19 people were killed in anti-government protests across Iraq, according to reports.

According to hospital sources, the number of people who were killed during Wednesday protests has risen to 10.

The protesters have voiced their anger that even after two years of defeating the Islamic State (IS) militants, millions of people across Iraq were still living in worsening conditions.

The protesters demanded better living, job opportunities and basic services.

They blamed the deterioration on what they see widespread corruption and incompetence of the government.

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