Iraqi man takes a lion on a leash to ongoing anti-government demonstrations; WATCH

Amid widespread anti-government demonstrations across Iraq, a man apparently took along a lion along with him to one of the protests. The lion, accompanying the man could be seen wrapped in the Iraqi flag. It is unclear from the video from where it was taken but over the last month-and-a-half, there have been numerous protests in Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq and even in the southern parts of the country. Some of these protests have erupted into violence. 

READ | Iraq Protests: Four Killed, 35 Wounded In Baghdad, But Protesters Stay Put

Four protesters were killed and 35 wounded by security forces in Baghdad on November 14 while staging anti-government protests. As per reports, one of the protesters died on the spot after a tear gas canister hit his head, while the others died in hospital from wounds from a stun bomb fired by security forces. Iraq's Tahrir Square turned chaotic when security forces used live fire, rubber bullets and shot tear gas canisters in a bid to disperse hundreds of protesters. Medical sources informed that the injured were affected by the tear gas and hot by the rubber bullets.

Till Thursday, over 300 were reported to have been killed due to security forces retaliation with tear gas canisters and rubber bullets at crowds of protesters, the Independent High Commission for Human Rights of Iraq (IHCHR) said. Nationwide protests in Iraq began in early October and escalated in waves. People are demanding the ouster of the government, as well as economic reforms, better living conditions, social welfare and an end to corruption. The scale of the protests is believed to be the biggest since the fall of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2003. Officials have attempted to regain control with the use of lethal force, as well as by imposing curfews and internet blackouts in the country.

READ | Fresh Unrest In Iraq Kills 4 Protesters, Wounds Dozens More

Iraq Protests

The protests are mainly directed towards the post-war political system and the class of elite leaders that Iraqis accuse of hindering the country's wealth while it is growing even poorer. Along with that, the demonstrators are also angry towards their neighbouring country, Iran and the powerful Iraqi Shiite military forces linked to it. The anger among the protesters has often turned the demonstrations violent.

A day before they attacked the Iranian consulate, protesters blocked the main roads in Baghdad and parked their cars at major junctions of the city while the police refrained from intervening. Nearly 250 people have been killed amidst frequent clashes with the security forces. However, the protests have grown stronger while calling for drastic changes in the policy and not just the government's resignation.

READ | Iraq: Protest Against Corruption Intensifies In Nation's Capital

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