Security forces kill 8 protesters in southern Iraq

By Amir Al-Saadi

BAGHDAD (AA) - At least eight protesters were killed with live ammunition in the southern Dhi Qar and Najaf provinces of Iraq, according to two medical sources.

The source, who works for the Health Department of Najaf province, told Anadolu Agency that five people were killed and 23 others injured with live ammunition.

The other source, who works for the Health Department of Dhi Qar province, told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity that three people were killed and 20 others injured.

According to witnesses, the victims were shot by security forces and unknown militias while it was not immediately possible to get immediate comment from the Iraqi authorities about the incidents.

On Thursday, 32 Iraqi protesters were killed as security forces attempted to disperse protests in the country’s southern city of Nassiriya.

Iraq has been rocked by mass protests since early October against poor living conditions and corruption. Protesters’ demands later spiraled into calls for dissolving the government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

According to Iraq's High Commission for Human Rights, at least 406 Iraqis have been killed and 15,000 have been injured since protests began Oct. 1.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara