6 wounded in clashes between protestors, security forces in Sulaimaniya

SULAIMANIYA / IraqiNews.com: Six persons were wounded on Tuesday in clashes between police and protestors in the city of Sulaimaniya, where security forces have intensified their deployment to prevent protestors from heading to Azadi square, director of Sulaimaniya health department said. Asayesh Forces and anti-riot Forces deployed in Sulaimaniya since early morning on Monday while stores in Saray region were closed. Protests in Sulaimaniya province started on February 17. Demonstrations rallied hundreds of Iraqi youth, students and educated calling for governmental reforms and urging to end corruption. Demonstrators turned since their first day into clashes with security forces that have left behind 200 people among killed and wounded, according to health sources. Demonstrations soon turned into an open sit-in in Azadi square. Iraq has been hit in recent weeks by nationwide protests inspired by uprisings across the Arab world. Demonstrators have demanded better government services and an end to corruption but for the most part have not sought the removal of the national government installed in December after elections in March 2010. Human rights group Amnesty International said last week that security forces had used excessive force against peaceful protesters in Iraq. SH (TS) 622