JOC Commander sets date for opening Jumhuriya and Sinek bridges to traffic

INA-  BAGHDAD

Baghdad Operations Commander, Lieutenant-General Ahmed Salim, set Thursday the date for opening the Jumhuriya and Sinek bridges to traffic.

 Salim told the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "all closed roads were reopened yesterday after the demonstrations ended in Tahrir Square, and life returned to normal in the capital," noting that "the Sinek and Jumhuriya bridges are still  closed , and this continues until next Saturday, the first of October after the demonstrations end, they will be opened according to the development of the situation."

 He added, "Any closure in the streets depends on the situation of the demonstrations," noting that "it is expected that Saturday's demonstrations will take place in Tahrir Square and then in Nisour Square."

 He stressed that "if the numbers of demonstrators are large, some roads leading to the protest sites will be closed , and checkpoints will be set up for demonstrators to prevent the entry of rioters and white arms or firearms," ​​noting that "maintaining peaceful demonstrations aims to preserve the demonstrators."

He also indicated that "some roads surrounding only the demonstration area will be closed, to avoid traffic jams inside the capital," explaining that "there is a working mechanism and a fixed measure that includes checking the demonstrators and inspecting the vehicles heading to the demonstration squares."

 Salim stated, "There is communication with the leaders of the demonstrations and activists, and most of those we contacted confirmed that the demonstrations are peaceful and there is coordination with them," stressing, "We are doing our duty correctly to preserve the integrity of the demonstrations."