Medical school graduates protesting outside the Ministry of Finance in Baghdad on Monday were met with violence by security forces, with initial reports indicating that 20 people were injured.

Dozens of 2023 medical graduates had gathered to demand state employment when riot police attempted to disperse the crowd.

Footage obtained by the The New Region shows security forces striking protesters with batons, forcing them to flee.

Security forces cracked down on protesting medical graduates in front of the ministry of finance building in #Baghdad on Monday pic.twitter.com/mc4aMv8Ffm

— The New Region (@thenewregion) August 19, 2024

In addition to the assaults on protesters, riot police reportedly targeted media personnel. A television crew covering the protest was attacked, and security forces barred other media outlets from filming the scene.

Video footage shows security forces seize the equipments of Al-Sumariyah TV's correspondent amid a crackdown on protestors in #Baghdad on Monday pic.twitter.com/bQ3wjDEkbR

— The New Region (@thenewregion) August 19, 2024

In response to the circulating videos, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior issued a statement. 

According to the ministry, at 6:40 am on Monday, a demonstration began in front of the Ministry of Finance. The statement claimed that some protesters attempted to block the ministry’s entrances and nearby roads, prompting security forces to intervene "in accordance with legal procedures" to prevent the closures.

The ministry also reported that security forces were deployed to ensure the safety of the demonstrators after acts of rioting broke out, resulting in injuries to several security personnel.