Protesters on 14 March clashed with Iraqi police trying to prevent them from reaching the most venerated mosque in Baghdad, as the people again massed for anti-government rallies in several Iraqi cities. Several people were reported injured. Iraqi security forces had prevented worshippers from holding Friday prayers at the Abu Hanifa mosque last week as well, a development that reflects heightened sectarian tensions nearly a decade after the US invasion of Iraq.
Police officials said anti-riot police used batons and water hoses in order to prevent worshippers from crossing a bridge leading to the mosque, which is located in Azamiyah. The officials said several worshippers sustained bruises and minor injuries in the skirmishes at the bridge, about 2 km from Abu Hanifa.