Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Iraq Shaken by One of Its ‘Worst’ Days of Protests; At Least 13 Killed

Iraq Shaken by One of Its ‘Worst’ Days of  Protests; At Least 13 Killed

BAGHDAD - At least 13 anti-government protesters were killed Sunday by Iraqi security forces in one of the “worst” days of violence in the country's south amid widespread ongoing demonstrations against corruption, officials said.
Since the anti-government protests broke out in early October, at least 342 people have been killed and thousands more wounded in Baghdad and various southern provinces.
Demonstrators have taken to the streets by the tens of thousands over what they’ve called widespread corruption, a lack of job opportunities and poor basic services, despite the country’s oil wealth.
Seven protesters were killed Sunday in the southern province of Basra, near the main Gulf commercial port Umm Qasr, when Iraqi authorities used live fire and tear gas to diffuse the situation, according to security and hospital officials who did not want to be identified.
Four protesters reportedly were killed in Nassiriya province, and one killed in both Najaf, the seat of Iraq's Shiite religious authority, and Diwanieh provinces.
At least 150 demonstrators were injured across Southern Iraq.
Protesters had cut roads leading to the Umm Qasr port, halting all trade activity.
In Nassiriya on Sunday, protesters used burning tires to block key roads and main bridges. Protestors set fire to the city's Shiite Endowment building, a governing body regulating the administration of mosques.
In Baghdad, at least 13 people were injured as clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces continued for a fourth day.
In the capital city, at least 16 people have been killed and over 100 injured in the renewed clashes, which kicked off last Thursday as protesters tried to scale a concrete barrier on historic Rasheed Street causing security forces to fire live ammunition, tear gas and rubber bullets to repel protestors.
The leaderless uprising has aimed to demolish the sectarian system and unseat the government, including Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi.
In statements, the international community, including the United Nations and the United States, denounced the use of force against peaceful protestors.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last week that the U.S. would hit Iraq with new financial penalties to punish the tactics used to repel demonstrators. (Fox News)