Share :

Download PDF :

Middle East Eye (25 February 2020)

Azhar Al-Rubaie

Wearing face masks, gas masks and mock bio-hazard suits, Iraqis vowed to continue their months-long protest against the central government on Tuesday, despite five cases of the lethal coronavirus being reported across the country.

In Baghdad's busy protest site of Tahrir Square, hundreds rallied against Iraq's ruling elite, despite pleas from the Ministry of Health that demonstrators steer clear of public places and remain at home.

Carrying banners reading: "The people want to overthrow the regime," several of the protesters were wearing surgical masks, but many had their faces uncovered, prompting fears that rallies and sit-ins could serve as incubators for the virus.

So far, at least five cases of coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, have been reported in Iraq: four in the northern city of Kirkuk, and one in the holy city of Najaf.

Click for more