Protester killed, as security forces open heavy fire to disperse demonstrations in Basra
Protesters block the road to Iraq’s Umm Qasr port, south of Basra, Iraq July 13, 2018. REUTERS/Essam al-Sudani
One of the protester was killed as he was shot by security forces in his head, Alghad Press reported.
News reports said security troops have opened fire against protesters in the vicinity of the local government building to disperse the demonstrations, a local source from Basra said on Wednesday.
Speaking to Baghdad Today, the source said “protests are ongoing in the vicinity of Basra provincial council.”
Security troops, according to the source, who preferred anonymity, “are attempting dispersal of the protests through opening fire heavily against protesters, in addition to using tear gas bombs that cause them asphyxia.”
On Tuesday, the Iraqi Health Ministry said 68 people, including security personnel, were wounded, while five protesters were killed.
Several provinces in central and southern Iraq has been witnessing mass protests for more than two months to voice demands of better services including drinking water and electricity as well as countering corruption.
Observers believe protests and sit-ins will expand due to ongoing assaults by security forces against peaceful protesters and to voice demands of better services, especially in light of negligence by the government toward protesters demands and the security crackdown.