Iraq says Twitter hack was responsible for coup announcement

False tweets say anti-terrorism squad, Iraq's main force in crackdown against protests, mounted coup

Iraqi protesters cover their faces during a demonstration in Baghdad's al-Rasheed street near al-Ahrar bridge. AFP

Smoke rises from the office of the Shiite endowment after it was set on fire by protesters during ongoing anti-government protests in Nassiriya, Iraq. Reuters

Mourners and protesters escort the flag-draped coffin of Munir Ali, seen in poster, whose family said was killed during anti-government demonstrations, during his funeral in Baghdad. AP Photo

Protesters play football next to burning tyres during ongoing anti-government protests in Basra, Iraq. Reuters

A demonstrator wearing a helmet poses for a photograph during ongoing anti-government protests in Nassiriya, Iraq. Reuters

Iraqi protesters chant slogans during a demonstration in Baghdad's al-Rasheed street near al-Ahrar bridge. AFP

Iraqi protesters chant slogans during a demonstration in Baghdad's al-Rasheed street near al-Ahrar bridge. AFP

Iraqi demonstrators stand next to the smoking remains of an Iraqi anti-riot vehicle during a demonstration in the southern city of Basra. AFP

Protesters step on a military vehicle of Iraqi security forces after burning it, during ongoing anti-government protests in Basra, Iraq. Reuters

The Twitter account of Iraqi military’s anti-terrorism unit was hacked on Monday, announcing part of the army was staging a coup after weeks of mass protests.

The claim came a day after the authorities killed at least 13 protesters and wounded dozens, mostly in southern Iraq, pushing the death toll in the almost two-month uprising to more than 350.

The announcement on the Twitter account of the Iraqi elite Counter-Terrorism Service said the force’s commander, Lt Gen Taleb Al Kanani, had launched a coup against the “illegitimate” government.

The coup was to “halt the shedding of blood in response to the demands of the sons of the Iraqi people and the demonstrators".

“The corrupt officials are currently being rounded up inside the Green Zone,” the announcement said, adding that Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi would also be arrested.

But no such operation appeared to have been launched and the country’s Joint Operations Command said the account was hacked.

"We would like to state that the CTS's official page was hacked by weak-spirited people," it said on Monday.

"What was published on this page about disobedience was baseless and had no credibility at all."

Lt Gen Al Kanani also reportedly denied that he was involved in any attempted coup.

Several government websites and social media streams have been hacked since the start of the mass uprising at the beginning of October.

One of the bloodiest days was Sunday, with government forces and Iranian-backed militias focusing on pacifying poor Shiite regions in the south. Demonstrations continued across the country on Monday.

Most of Iraq's oil is produced in the south, which has Iraq's only sea inlet. Demonstrators outraged by government corruption and poor services have been burning tyres and blocking main roads.

Security and hospital officials said seven protesters were killed on Sunday near the city of Umm Qasr, Iraq's commodities port. Security forces fired bullets at demonstrators and used tear gas.

In Basra, protesters in the city centre also used burning tyres to cut off main roads.

Officials said four protesters were killed in Nasiriyah province, the hometown of Mr Abdul Mahdi, and one each in Najaf and Diwaniyah.

A security official in Basra said it was one of the worst days since the start of the protests, with at least 150 demonstrators wounded.

The protest movement is demanding the removal of the political class, widely regarded as corrupt and heavily influenced by Iran.

Pupils and teachers have been leading rallies outside schools and public offices as a civil movement has built up, undermining traditional methods used by the state to placate the tribes, who have strong allegiances.

The Education Ministry issued a directive for schools to open on Sunday but protesters in Nasiriyah defied the order.

The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, on Saturday called for a region-wide response to the protests in Iraq, and in Lebanon, by developing “a positive vision” that preserves stability.

Addressing the Manama Dialogue earlier in the week, Dr Gargash said the upheaval should spur the Middle East’s policymakers to act.

“Along with diplomacy, we need a positive vision of stability in the wider region as we see many young people take to the streets in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon,” he said.

“We should be working diplomacy, putting the pressure on but also putting a view with regards to the future stability.

"As we really watch the demonstrations we recognise very clearly it is foremost about the efficacy of the political-economic system. It is secondly about corruption.

"It is really about delivery and about governance."