Kirkuk: Thousands of people demonstrate

In the afternoon of the 1^st day of January 2006, thousands of people demonstrated in Kirkuk to protest the high cost of living and lack of electricity and fuel. The demonstrations started at Raheem-awa neighborhood and reached Almaas. In Ikhwan circle the demonstrators attacked two gas stations and burnt them. They also burnt down the administration of the Private Projects for Petroleum Products. Police and military forces then attacked the protesting masses and the two sides clashed violently. The clash resulted in the injury of many from the people’s side as well as others from the police and the US soldiers’ side.