Thousands defy government ban to rally in Baghdad

‘Supporters of an Iraqi cleric have defied a government warning, taking to the streets of Baghdad in thousands to stage a protest rally.
The rallies, called by Muqtada al-Sadr, were held to condemn the state of security as well as corruption in the country.
“Yes, yes to reform. No, no to sectarianism. No, no to corruption,” read placards held by the protesters on Friday.
The Iraqi government had banned the protest, with Iraq’s Joint Operations Command warning that security forces would regard demonstrators carrying arms as “terrorists.”’
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