Protests continue in Iraq with several killed and dozens injured
During last night’s protests in Shatrah city in the south of Iraq, the security forces shot and killed 2 protesters and injured 12. According to the security forces, the protesters were trying to enter the residence of a government official. Six protesters were also killed by security forces in Baghdad.
In a separate incident in the port city of Um Qasr, near Basra, security forces shot and killed one protester and injured 34. Due to protests, Um Qasr harbor activities have been shut down since Wednesday last week.
In Basra, the security forces announced a curfew on Monday at 10 pm.
Since the beginning of protests about a month ago, over 250 protesters have been killed.
The UN representative to Iraq condemned the violent treatment of protesters in a tweet.
According to Reuters, a local young man in Baghdad reported that he has witnessed over 50 deaths since the beginning of protests.
“You get used to death quickly…I witnessed people, some of them my friends, died from teargas or flashbangs, lost their lives, had their skulls broken,” Ali said.
Hundreds of Iraqi teenagers and youth have gathered on the Republic bridge on the Tigris river since 10 days ago and call themselves “the frontline of the revolution.”
The bridge ends in the Green Zone in Baghdad were government and foreign embassy buildings are located.
The security forces use plastic bullets, flash grenades, and teargas on the protesters which have led to many deaths.