Tear gas and shots were fired on Saturday at anti-corruption demonstrators trying to reach Baghdad’s Green Zone.<br /><br /> At least seven people died in clashes between Iraqi police and protesters seeking to reach the ultra-secure compound that houses government offices and embassies.<br /><br /> Police say two members of the security forces and five demonstrators were killed, with over 200 injuries reported.<br /><br /> “We demand a change of government,” said one protester, Ali al-Saddi.<br /><br /> “We want patriotic people to replace them and start rebuilding Iraq. The elections were manipulated and a sham. Every four years we have the same people. We want honest people.”<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> Protesters in #Baghdad continue to chant “Peaceful, peaceful, peaceful” despite tear-gas and live fire from security forces. pic.twitter.com/bkXXMcMENt— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) February 11, 2017<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> #UPDATE Seven killed as Baghdad electoral reform protest turns violent https://t.co/RjHIreU8CR #Baghdad #alSadr— AFP news agency (@AFP) 11 février 2017<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> The protesters, mainly supporters of prominent Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, want a commision supervising elections to be overhauled ahead of a provincial vote in September.<br /><br /> Rampant corruption in Iraq comes as the country battles to defeat ISIL militants in a US-backed campaign discussed in Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s first phone call with President Trump last week.<br /><br /> The White House said that both leaders also “spoke to the threat Iran presents across the entire region”.<br /><br /> Iraq said Abadi also asked Trump to lift the ban on people from his country travelling to the US – although American courts have now suspended those restrictions.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> PM Al-Abadi speaks with @POTUS who assures continued support for liberation operations and efforts to resolve visa entry issues for Iraqis pic.twitter.com/K7aHtSFef3— Haider Al-Abadi (@HaiderAlAbadi) February 9, 2017<br />
