UPDATE 2 - Clashes kill 22 protesters in Iraq’s south

UPDATES WITH CASUALTIES

By Mohamed Waleed

BAGHDAD (AA) – At least 22 Iraqi protesters were killed and 157 others injured in clashes with security forces in the country’s southern city of Nassiriya, according to a medical source.

The source, who works for the Health Department of Dhi Qar province, told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity that "hospitals in the province have so far recorded the death of 22 demonstrators and the injury of 157 others."

According to the source, the casualties took place during clashes between protesters and security forces on al-Nasr and al-Zeytun bridges in Nassiriya.

The Iraqi security forces clashed with protesters early Thursday in an attempt to control the two bridges that have been closed since last Wednesday, said a security source earlier to Anadolu Agency.

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 348 Iraqis have been killed and 15,000 have been injured since protests began Oct. 1.