Iraq protests death toll nears 100
The death toll from mass protests in Baghdad and cities across southern Iraq neared 100 on Saturday as the unrest entered its fifth day, a rights panel said.
More than 3,000 people have also been injured since
the protests against chronic unemployment, poor public services, and widespread
corruption erupted in the capital on Tuesday, the parliament’s human rights
commission said.
A total of 540 demonstrators have been arrested, of
whom nearly 200 remain in custody, the panel added.
The Iraqi government lifted the daytime curfew in
Baghdad on Saturday, but access to roads leading to major squares remained
blocked for fear of further deadly protests, AFP correspondents reported.
Iraqi security forces Friday opened fire on dozens of
protesters gathering in Baghdad for a fourth day of demonstrations against
corruption, unemployment, and poor public services, an AFP correspondent
reported.
Tensions have been exacerbated by a near-total
internet blackout as the authorities seek to prevent protesters communicating
with each other or posting footage of the chaotic demonstrations.
The demonstrations are the biggest challenge yet to
Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, who has imposed curfews in Baghdad and other
cities to try to stop the protests gathering steam.
