Security forces start leaving Sulaimaniya

SUALAIMANIYA / IraqiNews.com: Security forces started withdrawing from Sulaimaniya after the settle of the situation in the city, commander of the security forces said on Friday. “The forces which came to the city to help fostering security started to withdraw,” Hakem Qader told IraqiNews.com news agency. 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. SH (TS) 984