Maysan protests leave 19 people injured, including security men
Iraq suffers from acute financial crisis due to dropped oil prices and anti-terrorism expenses.
Maysan (Iraqinews.com) – Up to 19 people were injured Saturday in clashes between security forces and demonstrators in the southeastern governorate of Maysan, a senior health official was quoted by Alforat News as saying.
Dr. Ali al-Allaq, the director of Maysan’s health directorate, said, “the injured included security forces and civilians, with some of them suffering from gunshot wounds.”
He pointed out that his directorate is ready to handle “the increasing number of injuries among the policemen and demonstrators alike.” Allaq further called on all citizens to “cooperate with medics and open roads for them to help them move the injured to hospitals as soon as possible.”
On Friday, several protests were held outside the headquarters of various political parties in Maysan, including Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s Dawa Party. Some of these parties were set on fire.
Earlier in the day, Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called on security forces to show restraint in handling peaceful protests staged near oil fields in the country’s southern provinces.
In a Twitter post, Sadr expressed his rejection of “any attack on oppressed protesters.”
Hundreds of Iraqi youth have been staging rallies since last week demanding enhanced services and job opportunities.