Security forces attempt to evict demonstrators from Tahreer Square by force

Baghdad (NINA) – Security forces attempted on Friday afternoon, Feb. 25, to evict demonstrators from Tahreer Square by using live ammunition and sound bombs in addition to tear gas.

Eye witnesses at Tahreer Square told NINA that security forces attempted several times to evict demonstrators from the Square; after failing to do so, riot police opened fire using live ammunition and sound bombs, as well as tear gas to disperse demonstrators, who took refuge into near by side streets.

Eye witnesses said that demonstrators returned to the Square and threw rocks at riot police; many of them wounded, but it is hard to transport them to hospitals due to lack of ambulances or other vehicles because of the ban imposed on the movement of vehicles.

Reporters and photographers said that riot police are preventing them from covering the events.