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Security forces kill nine in Iraq protests
[DAWN] Security forces opened fire on protesters in Baghdad and several cities in southern Iraq on Sunday, killing at least nine people and wounding dozens of others, police and medical sources said, the latest violence in weeks of unrest.Anti-government protests erupted in early October and have swollen into the largest demonstrations since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. A Rooters tally of the dead as given by security and medical sources shows at least 339 people have been killed.Iraq's state news agency quoted the health minister on Sunday as saying 111 people had been killed, including protesters and members from security forces, without breaking down the tally or elaborating over what period. It was the first official figure issued by a government official since October 25. A government report last month had said there were 157 deaths during the first week of October. Protests paused after then and resumed on October 25. Protesters are demanding the overthrow of a political class seen as corrupt and serving foreign powers while many Iraqis languish in poverty without jobs, healthcare or education. In Nassiriya, security forces used live ammunition and tear gas canisters to disperse protesters who had gathered overnight on three bridges. Police and health officials said three people were killed, and hospital sources said another person died later from bullets wounds to his head. More than 50 others were maimed, mainly by live bullets and tear gas canisters, in festivities in the city, they added. Three people were killed and around 90 maimed near the Gulf port of Umm Qasr near Basra when security forces used live fire to disperse protesters, police and medical sources said. The protesters had gathered to demand security forces open roads that authorities have blocked to try to prevent protesters from reaching the port's entrance. Related: Umm Qasr: 2019-11-23 Security forces re-open Umm Qasr port Umm Qasr: 2019-11-21 US threatens to sanction Iraq officials over protest deaths Umm Qasr: 2019-11-19 Protesters block entrance to Iraq's Umm Qasr port Related: Nassiriya: 2019-11-18 Basra roads closed as national protests continue Nassiriya: 2019-11-11 Blast in northern Iraq injures five Italian soldiers Nassiriya: 2019-11-07 Iraqi protesters block entrance to Nassiriya oil refinery: Sources Related: Baghdad: 2019-11-24 Four die in Baghdad Friday as top cleric bluntly pushes reform Baghdad: 2019-11-24 Iraq’s defense minister suspected of fraud in Sweden Baghdad: 2019-11-24 Iraqi officials say two protesters dead, 20 others injured Saturday amid ongoing clashes Posted by: Fred 2019-11-25 |
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