Spanish troops break up violent protest by jobseekers in Iraq

[Barrett808]

NAJAF, Iraq (AP) Iraqis, protesting delays in processing their applications for police jobs, hurled stones at Spanish soldiers and Iraqi police on Tuesday in the southern city of Najaf. Witnesses reported gunfire, and at least three police and two protesters were wounded.

Fifteen people were detained in the three-hour confrontation.

The protest began when about 400 people gathered outside a government building to demonstrate against a delay in processing their job applications. They began throwing stones, smashing windows and burning a guardhouse, witnesses said.

Spanish troops, who are responsible for security in the area, arrived later to restore order.

One witness, 22-year-old Falah Hadi, said he saw a stone strike a female Spanish soldier on the head. The soldier staggered, and then fired one round at the crowd, Hadi said.

(more)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/090/world/Spanish_troops_break_up_violen:.shtml

[MidwestTransplant]

1. And these guys are going to be the police?

Yow.