BREAKING NEWS

Iraq protester sets self ablaze in anti-government rally

By REUTERS

JANUARY 20, 2013 16:00

MOSUL, Iraq - An Iraqi protester set himself ablaze on Sunday in a dramatic turn in more than three weeks of rallies by Sunni Muslims challenging Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government.

Thousands of Sunni demonstrators have rallied since late December against a Shi'ite-led government they believe has marginalized their minority sect, raising fears the OPEC country may slide again into widespread sectarian confrontation.

During protests of around 2,000 demonstrators in the northern city of Mosul, one man set himself ablaze before others quickly stamped out the flames with their jackets, police said. He was sent to hospital with burns to his face and hands.

"We don't want people to hang themselves or burn themselves, this would be against Islam," said Ghanim al-Abid, protest organizer in Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad. "But he reached such a state of despair he set himself on fire."

Ultra-Orthodox youths stopped by Palestinian police

By WALLA!

04/25/2024 02:34 AM

Members of hostages families block humanitarian aid trucks

By WALLA!

04/25/2024 02:07 AM

Coalition vessel engaged anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Yemen

By REUTERS

04/25/2024 01:42 AM

Karhi slams the attorney-general for 'trampling' on the law

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/24/2024 11:28 PM