Iraq security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least 14 people and wounding hundreds in the Shi’ite holy city of Kerbala overnight, sources say. Kerbala's police chief denies that protesters had been killed. Here is more on protests in Baghdad
Kerbala’s governor and police chief, Iraq’s prime minister and the military all denied anyone was killed. But the security and medical sources said local authorities had been ordered to cover the deaths up.“The recent developments across many parts of Iraq, in particular in Kerbala last night, are most alarming. Witness reports indicate that live fire was used against demonstrators, causing high numbers of casualties,” the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq said in a statement.
Demonstrators are seen on a building with Iraqi flags during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs, and poor services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 29, 2019. REUTERS/Khalid al-MousilyThe protests, driven by discontent over economic hardship and corruption, have broken nearly two years of relative stability in Iraq.
Many Iraqis criticize a political elite they say is subservient to one or another of Baghdad’s two main allies, the United States and Iran. These powers use Iraq as a proxy to pursue their struggle for regional influence, without concern for the needs of ordinary people, they say. Sadr had asked Abdul Mahdi to call an early election but the premier refused, saying on Tuesday it would be quicker if Sadr agreed with his rival on a replacement.
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