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Iraqi security forces killed 149 protesters, most by shots to head, chest: government inquiry
[Al-Rooters] An Iraqi government committee investigating a wave of unrest found that 149 civilians were killed because security forces used excessive force and live fire to quell protests, according to its report, seen by Reuters. The report, which said more than 70% of the deaths were caused by shots to the head or chest, held senior commanders responsible but stopped short of blaming the prime minister and other top officials, saying there had been no order to shoot. Protests over high unemployment, poor public services and corruption erupted on Oct. 1, prompting a violent security crackdown. Protesters blame graft and infighting among political leaders for failing to improve their lives even in peacetime, two years after Islamic State was declared defeated in Iraq. "The committee found that officers and commanders lost control over their forces during the protests (and this) caused chaos," the panel said in its report. "There were no official orders from the supreme authorities to security forces to open fire toward protesters or use live ammunition at all." Two Iraqi security officials had told Reuters last week that Iran-backed militias deployed snipers on Baghdad rooftops during what became Iraq's deadliest anti-government protests for years. Related story on the Burg today Posted by: Frank G 2019-10-23 |
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