Ten killed in Iraq’s Basra during protests outside govt headquarters
Ten people were killed in Iraq’s southern city of
Basra during overnight protests where security forces used live gunfire to
disperse hundreds of demonstrators who tried to force their way into the local
government headquarters, medical sources told Al Arabiya on Saturday.
The sources added that about 180 people suffered
injuries as protesters continue to gather around the government building.
According to Iraqi state TV, masked gunmen had
attacked protesters in Basra on Thursday night, killing five people and
injuring another 120.
In Baghdad, Al Arabiya sources said that clashes
erupted between hundreds of demonstrators and riot police in al-Rashid Street,
where security forces fired tear gas and sound bombs.
The sources added that protesters tried to reach
Shuhada Bridge again, but security forces continued to block them for the third
day in a row.
More than 250 people have been killed since the
unrest erupted Oct. 1.
Demonstrators complain of widespread corruption,
lack of job opportunities and poor basic services, including regular power cuts
despite Iraq's vast oil reserves.
