Massive protest held in Iraqi Kurdistan

Sun Mar 20, 2011

An unprecedented number of protesters have gathered in the Iraqi Kurdistan to protest the regional government's corruption and failure to implement democracy.

The Sunday rallies took place in the city of Sulaymanieh and were attended by a large crowd, who gathered to attend the Nowruz celebrations, which marks the change of the year, Reuters reported.

"We are gathering in thousands today to celebrate the festival of Nowruz and to stress that we still ask for our demands of reforms to be answered," said Nasik Qadir, spokeswoman for protesters in the city.

"We are here to say that our demands have still not been met."

The rallies, inspired by the recent revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, have been raging on since last month, urging the removal of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The government has reportedly deployed a 4,000-strong contingent to Kurdistan's city of Kirkuk to prevent protests.

The troops belong to the Peshmerga division, which operates in the northern region as an offshoot of the Iraqi Army's Regional Guards.

The outraged public were about to raise their voices about a lack of basic services and Kurdish hegemony over the city and the province.

The KRG, however, claimed it had received credible intelligence about planned attacks against the Kurdish community.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170934.html.

One protester killed, 100 injures in Syria

Sun Mar 20, 2011

Syrian forces have reportedly attacked anti-government protesters in a southwestern city, killing one person and wounding more than 100 others.

The Sunday rallies in Daraa were attended by some 10,000 people, an activist told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The security forces backed by police fired live rounds at the demonstrators," the witness said.

Security forces were also reported to have fired tear gas canisters to disperse thousands of mourners attending a Saturday funeral ceremony for four people who were killed in a demonstration on Friday.

Several people were also injured during the Friday protest, which had called for more political freedom and an end to corruption in the country.

The Syrian authorities have said they would investigate the deaths, according to the daily Al-Watan, which is close to the government.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170926.html.

Secret Bahrain-KSA deal exposed

Sun Mar 20, 2011

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have reportedly struck a secret deal, which would compel each side to protect the other's political interests.

The deal was signed during Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's visit to Saudi Arabia last month, the Iraqi news website, Nahrain-Net reported.

Based on the accord, the Bahraini monarch should confer with Saudi King Abdullah on political, military and security affairs as well as issues related to Manama's foreign policy.

It also allows Riyadh to set up autonomous and permanent military bases in Bahrain.

The deal enabled Saudi Arabia's recent invasion of Bahrain in support of Manama's suppression of the popular revolution, the website said.

Demonstrators in the Shia-majority Bahrain have been demanding the ouster of the Sunni-led Al Khalifa monarchy as well as constitutional reforms since February 14.

More than a dozen people have been killed and about 1,000 injured since the start of the anti-government protests.

Violence has intensified against the demonstrators ever since the deployment of Saudi forces, which have started operating in the country alongside servicemen from the United Arab Emirates.

The deal allows Saudis to control Bahrain's intelligence and carry out any measure to change Bahrain's demographics.

Thousands of Bahrainis protested earlier in the month against what they denounced as Manama's naturalization policy, through which it attempts to change the country's demographic map.

"All those who are naturalized will be pro-government, and those in the police and army will follow their orders even if they are against the Bahraini people," said a protester.

Riyadh has to keep its side of the bargain by helping Al Khalifa to continue ruling Bahrain.

Thousands have turned out in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia in recent days to protest the Saudi invasion.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170955.html.

Syrian forces fire tear gas at funeral

Sat Mar 19, 2011

Syrian security forces have fired tear gas to disperse mourners attending a funeral ceremony for the people killed in an anti-government demonstration on Friday.

On Saturday, thousands gathered in the city of Daraa, which is located south of Damascus, to mourn the death of four people killed during the demonstration on Friday.

The mourners chanted slogans as they carried the coffins of the victims.

On Friday, the demonstrators called for political freedoms and an end to corruption in the country.

Several people were also injured during the demonstration in Daraa.

The Syrian authorities said they would investigate the deaths, according to the Syrian daily Al-Watan, which is close to the Syrian government.

At least one person was arrested during the funeral ceremony, which nearly 10,000 people attended, human rights groups said.

Bashar al-Assad has been the president of Syria for the past 11 years. He took office in 2000 following the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, who was the leader of the country for three decades.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170825.html.

Iran ready to help Bahrain Red Crescent

Sun Mar 20, 2011

The secretary general of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) says the organization is ready to help the Red Crescent deal with the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Bahrain.

Zaher Rostami told Press TV on Saturday that Bahrain should allow Red Crescent relief workers into the kingdom since it is an international humanitarian body with no borders.

"If we are given permission, we are ready to send our relief forces to help the Bahraini people with medical and health supplies," Rostami said.

He also expressed condolences to the Bahraini people over the deaths in the crackdown and said the IRCS condemns the inhumane actions committed against protesters by the Bahraini government.

Rostami also stated that the Bahraini government should not target hospitals, doctors, and nurses.

He denounced the brutal crackdown on protesters in Bahrain, and criticized the Saudi Arabian military intervention.

On Thursday, Iranian Rescue and Relief Organization Director Mahmoud Mozaffar said Iran is ready to dispatch humanitarian assistance to all Muslim nations in the region.

Bahrainis began peaceful demonstrations calling for constitutional reforms in the capital's Pearl Square on February 14, but later began demanding the abolition of the 230-year-old monarchy.

At least 12 people have been killed and about 1,000 injured during the anti-government protests in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom, where the US Fifth Fleet is based.

UAE soldiers arrived in Bahrain on Friday to join Saudi Arabian troops, which were sent there earlier in the week, to help the Bahraini government's deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170838.html.

Spain, Norway, Denmark join war party

Sun Mar 20, 2011

Spain, Norway, and Denmark have announced that they are joining the large-scale military intervention into Libya.

The Spanish Defense Ministry said on Saturday that the country has sent four F-18 fighter jets and a refueling aircraft to Italy to take part in the operation over Libya starting on Sunday, AFP reported.

"These planes will carry out patrol missions and will be operational from tomorrow (Sunday)," a statement issued by the Spanish Defense Ministry read.

On Saturday, Norway announced that six Norwegian F-16 fighter jets will be joining the Western-led military operations against Libya over the next few days.

The warplanes will take off right at the beginning of next week and will be based in Sicily, Italy, according to the announcement.

Denmark has announced that it will be contributing up to six F-16 warplanes and a transport plane for the Western-led intervention into Libya.

On Saturday, Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen said parliament supports the decision to deploy warplanes to Libya.

Foreign forces launched airstrikes against Libya after officials of a number countries meeting in Paris on Saturday ordered a large-scale military intervention into the country in order to end the assaults on civilians launched by Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

Representatives of the United States, Britain, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar attended the meeting.

There have been reports that French warplanes have begun firing on Libyan government troops in the eastern city of Benghazi, which is the stronghold of anti-government forces.

The French intervention came after forces loyal to the 68-year-old Libyan ruler began closing in on revolutionaries in eastern Libya, despite a ceasefire declared by Gaddafi on Friday.

In addition, US and British forces fired a barrage of at least 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Libya targeting Gaddafi's air defenses on Saturday. The missiles reportedly struck pro-government forces.

Libyan anti-government forces, inspired by revolutions that toppled authoritarian rulers in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt, are fighting to unseat Gaddafi after suffering under his despotic rule for over 41 years.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170829.html.

Warplanes bomb Gaddafi's birthplace

Sun Mar 20, 2011

Jets of the US-led war alliance have carried out airstrikes against the birthplace of Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

On Saturday, airstrikes struck several civilian targets in Sirte, a Mediterranean city located 360 kilometers (225 miles) east of Tripoli, which is the birthplace of the 68-year-old Libyan ruler, AFP quoted a report issued by Libya's state-run Jana news agency as saying.

Foreign forces launched airstrikes against Libya after officials of a number of countries meeting in Paris on Saturday ordered a large-scale military intervention into the country in order to end the assaults on civilians launched by Gaddafi's forces.

Representatives of the United States, Britain, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar attended the meeting.

There have been reports that French warplanes have begun firing on Libyan government troops in the eastern city of Benghazi, which is the stronghold of anti-government forces.

The French intervention came after forces loyal to the Libyan ruler began closing in on revolutionaries in eastern Libya, despite a ceasefire declared by Gaddafi on Friday.

In addition, US and British forces fired a barrage of at least 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Libya targeting Gaddafi's air defenses on Saturday. The missiles reportedly struck pro-government forces.

Speaking to reporters in Brazil, US President Barack Obama said Washington is united with its international partners on the need to take action.

"Our consensus was strong and our resolve is clear. The people of Libya must be protected, and in the absence of an immediate end to the violence against civilians, our coalition is prepared to act and act with urgency," he said.

Libyan anti-government forces, inspired by revolutions that toppled authoritarian rulers in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt, are fighting to unseat Gaddafi after suffering under his despotic rule for over 41 years.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170830.html.

Yemen ambassador to Lebanon resigns

Sat Mar 19, 2011

The Yemeni ambassador to Lebanon has resigned in protest at the Sana'a-ordered crackdown on anti-government protesters that recently left 52 people dead and many more injured.

The move by Faisal Amin Abu al-Ras marked the first by a Yemeni envoy in protest at Friday's violence used by the government forces against the protesters in the capital, DPA reported.

Many of the victims were shot in the head and neck by snipers, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Twenty-Seven parliamentarians and 47 members of President Ali Abdullah Saleh's ruling General People Congress party have already stepped down, joining the protesters' camp.

The protests started in January, calling for the ouster of the regime since January.

Since the beginning of the popular uprising up to the Friday bloodshed, dozens of people were killed and hundreds more wounded during the armed attacks by the loyalists to the government.

The United Nations has condemned the aggression on the peaceful demonstrators.

Saleh has already been in office for 32 years with several opposition members arguing that his long-promised reforms have not taken place.

Despite the countrywide rallies, the head of state has said he would remain in power until the end of his term in 2013.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170781.html.

Iraqis rally to condemn Saudi meddling

Sat Mar 19, 2011

Thousands of Iraqis protest in Basra against Saudi Arabia's move to deploy troops in Bahrain to suppress pro-democracy demonstrations by the Shia majority opposition.

Around 7,000 people, including government officials and clerics, protested in Iraq's second-largest city on Saturday, Reuters reported. They waved Bahraini flags and shouted slogans like, "The clock of change is ticking. After Bahrain, the Saudi king is next," and "Woe to those hostile to Shias.”

More than 20,000 people demonstrated in Baghdad and Najaf on Friday, and several thousand on Wednesday. The demonstrations were organized by Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

People in Lebanon, Iran and various cities of Saudi Arabia have also held rallies against Saudi troops' presence in Bahrain.

"The Saudi government practices a double standard. On the one hand it is with the Libyan people, and on the other hand it is a strong arm against Bahrain's people and suppressing them," said Muhanad Sahib, a protester demonstrating in Basra.

In addition, a smaller demonstration was held in Baghdad on Saturday, reportedly organized by the Shia Dawa Party.

Saudi Arabia has deployed more than 1,000 troops to Bahrain at the request of Manama to help the Al Khalifa monarchy crush the anti-government protests. In a similar move, the UAE has dispatched around 500 police forces to assist the Sunni-led regime.

More than 12 people have so far been killed and about 1,000 injured in Bahrain since February 14.

Saudi forces have reportedly arrested opposition leaders and taken them to Saudi Arabia. Matar Matar of the main opposition Shia bloc Al-Wefaq has stated that approximately 60 Bahraini protesters have gone missing since Wednesday.

Protesters are demanding the ouster of the Al Khalifa monarchy and constitutional reforms.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170748.html.

'Bloody crimes will end Saleh regime'

Sat Mar 19, 2011

A Yemeni opposition leader has condemned the government's brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters, saying the violence will bring an end to the regime.

In a statement posted on the fighters' website, Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi supported anti-government protests demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Fars news agency reported.

The statement came after at least 52 people were killed and hundreds more injured on Friday when security forces opened fire on protesters in the capital Sana'a.

“The bloody and brutal crimes committed by Saleh's regime” against people at al-Taghir Square of Sana'a will “bring an end to the regime of oppression,” Al-Houthi said.

“The brutal crimes of the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh are against all Islamic principles and human values,” he said.

President Saleh declared a state of emergency across the country after the deadly crackdown on protesters, who were demanding an end to Saleh's three-decade rule.

Yemen's Defense Ministry announced on Friday that Saleh made the decision following a meeting with the country's higher National Defense Council.

According to medical sources, most of the injuries were to the head, neck and chest.

A Press TV correspondent reported on Friday that snipers were shooting protesters from rooftops.

Following the violence, opposition groups said that there was no possibility of reaching an agreement with the government, and urged Saleh to leave.

"There is no longer any possibility of mutual understanding with this regime and he has no choice but to surrender authority to the people," said Yassin Noman, rotating president of Yemen's umbrella opposition group.

Similar anti-Saleh rallies are also being held in other Yemeni cities, including the southern port city of Aden and Hodeida in the west.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed serious concern over the loss of life and the injuries that have resulted from the escalation in violence.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170703.html.

Russia evacuates citizens from Japan

Sat Mar 19, 2011

The Russian government has evacuated thousands of its citizens from Japan following its massive earthquake and the explosion of a nuclear plant in the Asian country.

The Minister of the Russian Federation for Affairs of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Relief, Sergey Shoigu, announced that the evacuation of 6,000 Russian citizens from Japan is under way, IRNA reports.

Shoigu added that his country had prepared special flights for the transportation of Russian citizens from Japan to the eastern Russian cities of Vladivostok and Khabarovsk.

On March 11, Japan experienced an 8.9 magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami.

The Japanese quake and tsunami set off nuclear problems by knocking out cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on the northeast coast.

Since then, four of the troubled plant's six reactor units have seen fires, explosions or partial meltdowns.

Nearly 7,200 people have been confirmed killed, while another 11,000 are still missing following Friday's earthquake.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170686.html.

Iraqis rally in support of Bahrainis

Fri Mar 18, 2011

Thousands of Iraqis have poured into the streets in major cities across the country to protest against Saudi Arabia's military intervention in Bahrain.

Waving Iraqi and Bahraini flags, the demonstrators, mainly Shias, expressed their full support for Bahraini protesters who are facing a deadly crackdown.

In Baghdad's Sadr City about 10,000 followers of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr marched following the Friday Prayers to show solidarity with anti-government protesters in Bahrain. The crowds also vowed to go to the rescue of their Bahraini brethren.

"These protests are the beginning of support for the Bahraini people and if the Saudi and Bahraini rulers won't respond, we will act, even if we are forced to go and be human shields," said Muhanad al-Gharrawi, a Sadr aide.

Similar protest rallies were also held in the holy city of Najaf, Basra, Baquba and Kirkuk.

"This is a sectarian war led by Saudi [Arabia]. It is the beginning of the downfall of Saudi [Arabia] itself," Ahmed Nour Addin, an unemployed university graduate told AFP in Basra.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his ruling Shia bloc have also condemned the deployment of Saudi troops in Bahrain

Many countries, including Iran, Lebanon and Kuwait, have condemned Saudi Arabia's military invasion of Bahrain.

The protests came after Bahraini and Saudi forces, backed by tanks and helicopters, attacked anti-government demonstrators in the capital's Pearl Square on Wednesday, killing at least six protesters and wounding dozens of others.

Saudi forces also attacked Manama's main hospital where the injured were being treated, taking all people inside the building including doctors and nurses hostage.

On Friday, Bahraini authorities razed Pearl Square to the ground.

Anti-government protesters had been camped there for several weeks.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170633.html.