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Iraqi journalists face attacks by politicians' bodyguards

As attacks on journalists are on the rise in Iraq, part of the problem lies with politicians' bodyguards who are also assaulting journalists.
Iraqi journalists are seen covering events in the embattled city of Mosul on June 20, 2017, during the ongoing offensive by Iraqi forces to retake the last district of the city still held by the Islamic State group. 
The death of two journalists in Mosul has highlighted once more the particular dangers of covering the battle to recapture the Iraqi city from Islamic State group fighters. Covering the battle for Mosul, especially in the narrow streets of the Old City, where the last jihadists are holed up, is
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BAGHDAD — During Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s visit to the southern city of Najaf on Jan. 7, his bodyguards attacked a group of journalists, causing them physical harm. Abadi's office launched an investigation into the incident, which was welcomed by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate.

“The syndicate is following up on the investigations and their results and is legally prosecuting the aggressors, as this is one of its core duties. These attacks intimidate journalists and prevent them from doing their job, which is to inform the public,” Muayed al-Lami, the head of the syndicate, told Al-Monitor.

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