Iraq: hundreds of protesters storm the Baghdad Green Zone and Parliament

Iraqi protesters storming the Green Zone in Baghdad
(Image: Ahram Online)

Ahram Online -BAGHDAD: Hundreds of protesters climbed over the blast walls surrounding Baghdad's highly-fortified Green Zone for the first time on Saturday and stormed into parliament, carrying Iraqi flags and chanting against the government.

The breach marked a major escalation in the country's political crisis following months of anti-government protests, sit-ins and demonstrations by supporters of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Egypt: limited protests took place amid the celebration of Sinai Liberation Day

Protests against the Red Sea Islands deal with Saudi Arabia
held in Cairo on Monday
(Image: Ahram Online)

Limited protests against the recent government's agreement with Saudi Arabia over the Red Sea Tiran and Sanafir islands took place in Cairo on Monday, 25 April, amid the celebrations of the Sinai Liberation Day.

Several political groups and activists have been planning the protests on the Sinai Liberation Day en days after several thousand people have gathered in Downtown Cairo to protest the decision of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the country's government regarding the new maritime borders with Saudi Arabia and handing the Red Sea islands to the sovereignty of the kingdom. The rallies were called "Land Friday" though they were dispersed by the security forces, as many activists and participants of the demonstrations were arrested.

Turkey: thousands gathered for the anti-government rallies after Ankara deadly twin blasts

Massive anti-government protests in Turkey after Ankara
twin blasts
(Image: Sputnik News)

Thousands of people have gathered in Turkey's biggest cities including the capital Ankara and the city of Istanbul after the deadly twin blast that occurred in Ankara on Saturday and killed at least 97 people.

Protesters were mourning the victims of the bombing and condemning an attack, blaming the current government for it. The rallies later turned into massive anti-government protests that continued on Sunday and Monday as well, as tens of thousands of people have been marching in the center of Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other Turkish cities and protested against the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.

Turkey: Deadly blast in the city of Ankara left almost 100 people dead

Aftermath of a deadly explosion in Ankara
(Image: ABC 7)

Two explosions hit a capital of Turkey Ankara on Saturday, 10 October. The blasts were reportedly carried out by two suicide bombers and occurred at a peace rally that was about to start when the blasts hit it.

An explosion left at least 95 people killed and at least 245 people injured, many of them critically. TV footage of a blast showed scenes of chaos and panic, as the survived people, mostly youth, were running from the scene of an explosion and trying to help their wounded friends.

Lebanon: Beirut “trash protests” turn into an anti-government rally

Massive protests in Beirut, Lebanon, and police trying to disperse
the crowds
(Image: Sputnik News)

Massive protests continue for the second day in Beirut, Lebanon, as thousands of people gather in the central square to protests against the government’s failure to deal with the city’s trash problem, as the piles of rubbish remained in the streets for weeks. Anti-trash protests soon turned into anti-government rallies calling the country’s government to step down.

Tens of thousands of protesters clashed on Saturday and Sunday, 23 August, with Lebanese security forces in Beirut, as riot police attempted to disperse the crowds with tear gas and water cannons. Saturday protests and clashes left at least 55 people injured both protesters and policemen, while Sunday clashes resulted in the injuries of at least 70 people.

Thousands of Iraqis protest against government in Baghdad and in the South

Iraqis protest against government's corruption
and incompetence
(Image: Middle East Eye)

Thousands of Iraqis went to the streets of Baghdad and other Iraqi cities in the South to protest against Iraqi government. Protesters chanted against the current government accusing it of corruption, lack of reforms and inability to rebuild the country and against the poor public services including electricity, as most of Iraqis constantly face massive power cuts.

Armenia: Thousands of Armenians protests in Yerevan and nationwide against the government’s prices policies

Armenians protest in Yerevan
(Image: Yahoo News)

Massive anti-government protests are ongoing in the capital of Armenia, the city of Yerevan, for the second day. The protests started on Monday, 22 June, when nearly five thousand demonstrators have gathered in Yerevan’s central Freedom Square, protesting against the rising electricity prices imposed in the country. People refuse to pay according to the new prices and announced a strike that started on 19 June, after Armenian State Commission for regulating the services for citizens imposed new electricity tariff. People protest these prices and chant that they will not allow the government to steal from its own people. Similar protests took place in other cities of Armenia as well.

Ukraine: report about mass killings of the Maidan protesters revealed

Protesters in Maidan, 18-20 February 2014
(Image: AFP)

The heads of the security forces and police and the members of the special investigative teams have recently revealed their report regarding the mass killings of Ukrainian Maidan protesters happened on 18-20 February 2014, when the Euromaidan protests turned terribly violent, as the protesters attempted to march to the governmental district of Kyiv and were killed en masses by the security forces. More than hundred Ukrainian protesters were killed during those days and hundreds were wounded.

Special investigative team was formed and appointed by Ukrainian transitional government and Oleksandr Turchinov, the head of Ukrainian Parliament. The investigation results were really controversial, and the report of the heads of the security forces and the investigative team was recently revealed.

Ukrainian Armed Forces took the offensive in Eastern Ukraine amid an increasing terrorist activity and tragic loss of Ukrainian forces in Luhansk

Ukrainian airplane with soldiers shot down by the
Russian terrorists
(Image: US News)

Ukrainian military and security forces continue an active phase of the ongoing anti-terrorist operation launched in Eastern Ukrainian Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where the Russian and Russian backed terrorists continue to destabilize the situation.

After successes of Ukrainian Armed Forces and National Guard on Friday, 13 June, when the city of Mariupol was released from the terrorists and the control over the city was restored, Ukrainian military faced terrible losses on Saturday, 14 June. Russian terrorists have shot down Ukrainian aircraft transporting soldiers and ammunition to the zone of the anti-terrorist operation. There were three Ukrainian aircrafts sent to the ATO zone and planning to land in Luhansk, as one of them was shot down during the landing. 49 people including 30 soldiers from all over Ukraine and 9 members of the airplane’s crew were killed as a result of this strike.

Ukraine will launch a full-scale anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine in order to resist Russian aggression

Ukrainian military forces
(Image: Wikipedia)

Situation in Eastern Ukraine remains tense, with no signs of de-escalation, as the Russian terrorists and pro-Russian separatists continue to control several administrative buildings in some cities of Donetsk region, including Slovyansk.

Ukrainian police and SBU have launched an anti-terrorist operation in Slovyansk in the night of Saturday, restoring control over several buildings. One SBU officer was killed during the operation; at least 9 people were wounded. There are reports about casualties on the side of separatists, while at least three people were killed. Separatists claimed two of them were Russian citizens.

Euromaidan revolution: historical moment for Ukraine, but the battle continues

Independence Square (Maidan) on Saturday
(Image: Reuters)

After horrible days of the real street war led by Yanukovich regime against Ukrainian protesters in the streets of Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine the country has experienced really decisive moments changing the country significantly. But this victory is not final yet, and the battle continues, as the most important task of Euromaidan revolution and the key demand is total change of power in the country.

Ukrainian Parliament has gathered on Saturday for the fourth day amid the continuous attempts to resolve the deepening crisis in Ukraine in a peaceful and legitimate way, as EU ministers and diplomats are in Ukraine, and Western and Russian politicians as well follow the situation closely.

Ukrainian uprising: agreement between Yanukovich and opposition, historical parliamentary session, commemoration of slain protesters and threats of an attempt of Ukraine’s federalization

Kyiv Maidan after violent clashes
(Image: Den')

Ukrainians have experienced really black days in the entire history of the independent state since the beginning of the horrible and brutal assault of security forces against Euromaidan protesters, leaving more than 100 people killed and thousands badly injured. After the previous days of terrible fights, when Kyiv turned into Syria-like battlefield, and extremely hard night, when several living districts have been attacked by the so called “titushki” and thugs, and Ukrainians united in the self-organized units of self-defense and patrolled the streets of the city all night long, Friday was relatively calm for the protesters despite the worries about the possibility of the new assault.

Truce announced by Yanukovich regime was broken. Dozens of killed people as the clashes are ongoing

Independence Square (Maidan) turned into a battlefield
(Image: Drugoi Livejournal)

The temporarily truce offered by Yanukovich and announced after Wednesday’s night talks with the oppositional leaders was broken early in the morning as the Thursday’s Parliamentary session has started. The sides accuse each other of the beginning of clashes, as pro-Yanukovich forces and representatives of riot police claimed that protesters have started the clashes, while activists of Euromaidan and numerous journalists state that fighters of “Berkut” and riot police have started the clashes throwing Molotov cocktails and provoking violence and chaos. The accounts on the beginning of the violence remain conflicting.

Ukrainian protests continue. Temporarily ceasefire was reached during the talks between Yanukovich and opposition

Maidan (Independence Square) in the morning of Thursday,
after night's attack
(Image: DPA)

Confrontations between Ukrainian protesters and activists of Euromaidan and “Berkut” and security forces are ongoing in Kyiv and in other Ukrainian cities as well, as opposition and Yanukovich have failed to reach an agreement during the Tuesday’s negotiations.

Ministry of Health reported about at least 30 killed people, though the eyewitnesses and doctors working on the ground and in the hospitals claim there are more casualties and thousands of wounded, most of them with the wounds caused by live ammunition and bombs.

Ukraine: Violent confrontation is ongoing for the second day as EU is ready to impose sanctions

Kyiv Independence Square on fire
(Image: RTR)

Fierce clashes and violent confrontations are ongoing in Ukrainian capital Kyiv and all over Ukraine, as protesters refuse to give up and Yanukovich’s regime continues to kill Ukrainian citizens.

The clashes erupted on Tuesday, 18 February, between the peaceful protesters heading to the building of Parliament, and security forces firing teargas, throwing Molotoc cocktails, shooting birdshots and sound and smoke bombs at the protesters causing chaos and violent clashes. Kyiv downtown and Maidan (Independence Square) have turned into a real battlefield, as dozens of thousands of activists and protesters have been defending Maidan and its barricades despite using of live ammunition and bombs against the protesters. Military vehicles have been deployed to the scene.

Violent clashes erupted in Ukrainian capital during the peaceful protests of Euromaidan

Fierce clashes in Independence Square in Kyiv
(Image: +Yana York )

Violent clashes between the peaceful protesters and riot police and supporters of Yanukovich and his government erupted on Tuesday, as protesters have marched to the governmental district and building of Parliament, where the decisive parliamentary session aimed to discuss and vote for the Constitutional reform and for the candidacy of the new Prime Minister has been held.

Oppositional leaders have been calling for the activists and protesters to gather on Tuesday for the massive peaceful marches to be held in front of the Parliament’s building in order to pressure the MPs. Huge columns of protesters and self-defense of Euromaidan have marched to the Parliament building and other administrative buildings as well, where they have been stopped by the strong lines of riot police and the so called “titushki” (paid thugs used by Yanukovich’s regime to attack and intimidate the protesters).

Ukrainian protesters prepare for the decisive Tuesday’s Parliamentary session as opposition has met with Angela Merkel

Euromaidan anti-government protests in Kyiv
(Image: Kyiv Post)

Ukrainian activists and protesters are preparing for the Tuesday’s massive march to the building of Parliament, where the decisive session is expected to be held. Oppositional MPs demand voting for the Constitutional reform in order to amend the current national Charter and to return to the 2004 Constitution, limiting powers of President and establishing parliamentary-presidential form of governance instead of the presidential one, what allowed Yanukovich to build a strong vertical of power working for his interests and oppressing freedoms and rights of Ukrainians.

Ukraine: Euromaidan continues its rallies as opposition and government have reached first agreements in the talks

Massive rally has been held in Kyiv on Sunday, 16 February
(Image: Olga Lappo)

Another traditional People’s Council has been held on Sunday, 16 February, in Kyiv’s Independence Square, as Euromaidan rallies and peaceful protests continue all over Ukraine. Nearly 100 thousand people have gathered in Sunday in Kyiv and dozens of thousands have joined Euromaidan rallies in other Ukrainian cities as well.

People have gathered to hear the strategy and the next steps of the plan of opposition in their talks with the authorities and in the fight for freedom and democracy of Ukraine.

Ukrainian protests continue as opposition has held the tenth People’s Council and Parliament remains in a deadlock

Ukrainian protesters in Independence Square on Sunday
(Image: Kyiv Post)

Dozens of thousands of protesters have gathered on Sunday, 9 February, in Kyiv Independence Square for the tenth rally dubbed “People’s Council”, as Yanukovich’s regime and opposition still cannot find a solution of the deepening political crisis, and the talks seem to become in a deadlock, same as parliamentary debates over the Constitutional reform and fulfillment of the demands of Euromaidan.

Subday’s rally has started traditionally with the prayer, and then politicians, oppositional leaders, civic activists and artists have delivered their speeches from the stage.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk, one of the oppositional leaders, has declared that oppositional leaders aren’t scared of losing their popularity by forming an interim government pressed to possibly take unpopular decisions and that opposition is ready to sacrifice the ratings for the sake of the county’s future. But at the same time there’s no place for trade for the ministerial positions, claimed Mr. Yatsenyuk, referring to the offers of Yanukovich of the position of Prime Minister to him.

Ukraine: activists of Euromaidan marched to the Parliament as MPs failed to reach agreement again. West is ready for serious actions

Protesters heading towards Ukrainian Parliament
(Image: Андрій Парубій)

Situation in Ukraine still remains tense amid the deepening political crisis and inability of the ruling powers and Yanukovich and opposition to reach consensus. Tens of thousands of people continue to protest in Kyiv Independence Square and in other governorates as well, as the regional offices in many governorates are still under control of protesters and People’s Councils.

Ukrainian Parliament was expected to discuss the issue of amending the Constitution and vote for this decision during Thursday’s session, on 6 February, but despite the debates and talks consensus weren’t reached.

Parliament is divided over the Constitutional reform issue in at least two camps, one of them is represented by the ruling pro-Yanukovich Party of regions, and the second one is represented by the oppositional forces and individual MPs.