Anti-government protesters seized control of a strategic square in central Baghdad on Saturday, as they inched closer toward their goal of reaching the heavily fortified Green Zone, the seat of government, after days of violent clashes with security forces. An activist involved in the protest movement was shot to death early in the morning, security officials and activists said, in northwest Baghdad. Iraqi security forces withdrew from Khilani Square and part of Sanak Bridge on Saturday, after firing live rounds and heavy tear gas the previous day against protesters trying to tear down a concrete barrier blocking entry to the square. But along with Tahrir, the hub of the protest movement, demonstrators now control two central plazas with direct access to the Green Zone. AdvertisementDemonstrators also set up checkpoints on the road leading to Tahrir Square and organized their own civilian security in the area, after a deadly car bombing the previous night.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 17, 2019 00:33 UTC