Politics

Friday's death toll in Iraqi protests surges to 27; Curfew imposed in 7 provinces

Seven Iraqi provinces have imposed curfews on Friday evening "until further notice," as violence-ridden, anti-corruption demonstrations continued through the night across the nation, reportedly resulting in the deaths of at least 25 protesters.

Kurdistan 24 2019/10/25 18:39

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ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Seven Iraqi provinces have imposed curfews on Friday evening "until further notice," as violence-ridden, anti-corruption demonstrations continued through the night across the nation, reportedly resulting in the deaths of at least 25 protesters.

The Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights—which operates under the national parliament—said in an evening statement that 21 demonstrators had been killed in clashes between civilians and the security forces or guards at political offices, many of which are government-paid police. They announced that 1,779 had been injured as well. Reuters later cited local security sources saying that the number had risen to 27.

According to the figures released, the largest number of casualties occurred in Baghdad, where at least eight protesters were killed and close to 1,500 had been injured. In both Maysan and Dhi Qar provinces, six were reported killed, one in Muthanna province, and three in Basra. This adds up to a total of 24; the discrepancy may signify there were three deaths among security forces being counted, but this was not specified.

In Baghdad, riot police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters as they approached the secured part of Baghdad that houses multiple government offices, politicians' residences, and diplomatic missions are located.

A grizzly photo with smoke flowing from the face and back of the head of what appears to be a lifeless male has been widely circulated on social media. Organizers claim it is the result of a tear gas canister being fired directly at a protester in Baghdad. Earlier in the day, Reuters said that Iraqi police and medical sources told them that one fatality resulted from a man being struck in the face by a tear gas canister.

Local governments of Basra, Wasit, Dhi Qar, Maysan, Diwaniyah, Babil, and Muthanna provinces announced they would be enforcing curfews, a security source told Kurdistan 24. In a number of these provinces, demonstrators reportedly torched government buildings and several political party offices, also shown on Iraqi social media.

A photograph circulated on social media purports to show a political party office being burned by protesters in the southern city of Samawa, Oct. 25, 2019. (Photo: Social Media)

Friday's turmoil came after several days of calm that followed a week-long wave of deadly protests, leading to the deaths of at least 140 and thousands more injured. Security forces cracked down as crowds took to the streets, with many accusing them of using excessive force and gunfire to prevent the protests from spreading, including international human rights observers.

Iranian-backed Shia militias, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), were also alleged to have deployed snipers to target protesters, some of whom had already fled the protest areas.

In the days following the first wave of protests, Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi attempted to calm demonstrators with promises of reform and a cabinet shuffle.

So far, such moves have failed to quell the anger of the public, which continues to call for a complete governmental overhaul amid shortages of public services, high rates of unemployment, and chronic institutional corruption.

Editing by John J. Catherine