Iraqi officials say 27 protesters have been shot dead in the last 24 hours, amid spiraling violence in Baghdad and southern Iraq.
Another 152 others have been injured in clashes in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah on Thursday, according to Al Arabiya sources.
Protesters have taken control of al-Nasr and al-Zaytoun bridges in the city, reported Al Arabiya's correspondent. Meanwhile, AFP and local media put the death toll up from eight to 13 at Thursday 11:00 a.m. local time.
A curfew has been opposed in response to the clashes, said local officials. Nationally, the government announced it is setting up military-led ‘crisis cells’ aimed at quelling mass unrest according to a military statement on Thursday.
The province of Dhi Qar, which Nasiriyah is the capital of, has been one of the centers of the ongoing protests in Iraq.
Elsewhere in the country, protesters blocked roads connecting Baghdad to Diyala province. Al Arabiya sources also reported clashes in Samawah, in Muthanna province north of Nasiriyah.
The clashes between security forces and protesters come the night after anti-government protesters burned down the Iranian consulate building in Najaf on Wednesday night. Baghdad and Tehan both condemned the attack on Thursday morning.
-
Tehran, Bahgdad condemn attack on Iran's consulate in Najaf
Iran and Iraq condemned an attack on Iran’s consulate in the southern city of Najaf on Thursday, after the consulate was burned by protesters on ... Middle East -
Five protesters shot dead in Iraq as demonstrators clash with police
Protesters blocked roads with burning tires in southern Iraq and clashed with police in Baghdad on Wednesday, aiming to use economic disruption as ... Middle East -
US Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley arrives in Iraq amid protests
The top US general, Mark Milley, arrived in Iraq on Tuesday amid a spate of anti-government protests in the Middle East and questions about how they ... Middle East -
Riot police withdraw in southern Iraq province after clashes
Police in Iraq's southern province of Dhi Qar were instructed to withdraw and follow up on the situation on Friday, following protests in the province ... Middle East