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Iraq protests: Five dead as mass unrest descends into violence | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least five people have been killed in Iraq during a fresh wave of anti-government protests that have descended into violence. | |
Two of the dead were reportedly hit by tear gas canisters fired by security forces in the capital Baghdad. | |
At least three others were shot when a militia group opened fire on protesters in the city of Nasiriya. | |
Hundreds have been injured in protests that erupted nationwide on Friday, reports say. | |
Protesters are demanding more jobs, better public services and an end to corruption. | |
Similar protests earlier this month were brutally put down by security forces, leaving nearly 150 people dead. | Similar protests earlier this month were brutally put down by security forces, leaving nearly 150 people dead. |
A government report has acknowledged that authorities used excessive force in quelling that unrest. | A government report has acknowledged that authorities used excessive force in quelling that unrest. |
Iraq's leading Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, used his weekly sermon on Friday to call for restraint. | |
A day earlier Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who took office a year ago on Friday, warned protesters that violence would not be tolerated. | |
He has promised a cabinet reshuffle and a package of reforms to address protesters' demands but many remain unconvinced. | |
What's the latest? | What's the latest? |
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Friday morning. | |
When some tried to enter the Green Zone, where government buildings are based, security forces used tear gas to drive them back. | |
Police and medical sources told Reuters news agency that two demonstrators died after being struck by tear gas canisters. | Police and medical sources told Reuters news agency that two demonstrators died after being struck by tear gas canisters. |
More than 350 people, the sources added, were wounded as security forces sought to prevent protesters reaching the Green Zone. | More than 350 people, the sources added, were wounded as security forces sought to prevent protesters reaching the Green Zone. |
There is no official confirmation of the figures. However, pictures from the scene did show at least one person, apparently hit by a canister, lying motionless on the street. | There is no official confirmation of the figures. However, pictures from the scene did show at least one person, apparently hit by a canister, lying motionless on the street. |
The Iraqi interior ministry said 68 members of the security forces were injured across the country. | |
Elsewhere, as unrest spread through Iraq's southern cities: | |
The government's handling of the protests this month has fuelled discontent across Iraq, with political leaders facing calls to resign. | |
"We're not hungry, we want dignity," shouted one marcher. Another said that Iraq's politicians had "monopolised all the resources". | "We're not hungry, we want dignity," shouted one marcher. Another said that Iraq's politicians had "monopolised all the resources". |
What's the background? | What's the background? |
The protests started in Baghdad on 1 October. Most of those taking part were young and unemployed. | The protests started in Baghdad on 1 October. Most of those taking part were young and unemployed. |
After security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators, the unrest escalated and spread to other cities and towns. | After security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators, the unrest escalated and spread to other cities and towns. |
A government committee that was tasked with investigating the violence said 149 civilians and eight security personnel had been killed in protests between 1 and 6 October. | |
The committee concluded that "officers and commanders lost control over their forces during the protests" and that this "caused chaos". | The committee concluded that "officers and commanders lost control over their forces during the protests" and that this "caused chaos". |