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Six killed as Iraq protests continue in Baghdad and Nasiriyah Death toll rises as Iraq protests continue in Baghdad and Nasiriyah
(about 4 hours later)
At least six more Iraqi protesters were killed on Saturday in clashes with security forces in Baghdad and the southern town of Nasiriyah, as thousands took part in nationwide anti-government protests, officials said. At least seven more Iraqi protesters were killed on Saturday in clashes with security forces in Baghdad and the southern town of Nasiriyah, as thousands took part in nationwide anti-government protests, officials said.
Protesters were trying to reach Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, home to embassies and government offices.Protesters were trying to reach Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, home to embassies and government offices.
Security forces fired teargas as protesters tried to remove blast walls from a main bridge leading to the government district. Three people were killed when they were struck by teargas canisters, security and medical officials said.Security forces fired teargas as protesters tried to remove blast walls from a main bridge leading to the government district. Three people were killed when they were struck by teargas canisters, security and medical officials said.
A second medical official said three protesters were shot dead by security guards when they attacked the office of a provincial official in the southern town of Nasiriyah. The town in the mainly Shia south has seen especially violent protests in recent weeks and was placed under a 24-hour curfew on Friday.A second medical official said three protesters were shot dead by security guards when they attacked the office of a provincial official in the southern town of Nasiriyah. The town in the mainly Shia south has seen especially violent protests in recent weeks and was placed under a 24-hour curfew on Friday.
At least 48 people have been killed since the protests resumed this week, after 149 were killed in a wave of demonstrations earlier this month. The spontaneous, leaderless protests are directed at the political establishment that came to power after the 2003 US-led invasion, which many blame for spiralling corruption and poor public services. At least 49 people have been killed since the protests resumed this week, after 149 were killed in a wave of demonstrations earlier this month. The spontaneous, leaderless protests are directed at the political establishment that came to power after the 2003 US-led invasion, which many blame for spiralling corruption and poor public services.
The interior ministry and the military issued statements on Saturday saying some protesters have exploited the rallies to attack government buildings and political party offices.The interior ministry and the military issued statements on Saturday saying some protesters have exploited the rallies to attack government buildings and political party offices.
The ministry said some of its members were killed as police battled violent protesters but did not give a number. The military warned that it would take necessary and legal measures to deal with those it called saboteurs.The ministry said some of its members were killed as police battled violent protesters but did not give a number. The military warned that it would take necessary and legal measures to deal with those it called saboteurs.
Iraqi officials said 12 of those killed on Friday died in a fire they had set when they stormed the office of a government-backed militia in the southern town of Diwaniyah. A security official said protesters torched the offices of at least three militias in southern Maysan province.Iraqi officials said 12 of those killed on Friday died in a fire they had set when they stormed the office of a government-backed militia in the southern town of Diwaniyah. A security official said protesters torched the offices of at least three militias in southern Maysan province.
In Baghdad, Iraqi police had fired teargas, rubber bullets and live shots on Friday to break up protesters who gathered in the central Tahrir Square and later tried to cross the bridge leading to the Green Zone. The protesters returned on Saturday, clashing with security forces throughout the day.In Baghdad, Iraqi police had fired teargas, rubber bullets and live shots on Friday to break up protesters who gathered in the central Tahrir Square and later tried to cross the bridge leading to the Green Zone. The protesters returned on Saturday, clashing with security forces throughout the day.
The rallies have mainly been by young, unemployed men who are demanding jobs and better services. Women appeared among the crowd in Baghdad for the first time Saturday, some handing out water to protesters.The rallies have mainly been by young, unemployed men who are demanding jobs and better services. Women appeared among the crowd in Baghdad for the first time Saturday, some handing out water to protesters.
A widow said she had asked her son and daughter to stay home because she feared for their safety. But the 60-year-old from outside of Baghdad said she came to protest, wanting a better future for her children. Her husband died in Iraq’s eight-year war with Iran in the 1980s.A widow said she had asked her son and daughter to stay home because she feared for their safety. But the 60-year-old from outside of Baghdad said she came to protest, wanting a better future for her children. Her husband died in Iraq’s eight-year war with Iran in the 1980s.
“I am not afraid if I die, but I want a better future for my children,” she said. “If these parties and this government stay, they will have no future.”“I am not afraid if I die, but I want a better future for my children,” she said. “If these parties and this government stay, they will have no future.”
Iran emerged as a major power broker in Iraq after the 2003 invasion and has close ties to many of its most powerful political parties. It also backs a number of militias that were mobilised in 2014 to battle the Islamic State group.Iran emerged as a major power broker in Iraq after the 2003 invasion and has close ties to many of its most powerful political parties. It also backs a number of militias that were mobilised in 2014 to battle the Islamic State group.
IraqIraq
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
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