At least five protesters were killed and more than 175 injured on Friday in clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriya, a witness told Reuters and other sources.
Protests continue in Nasiriyah against the governor with security forces using excessive force. Habboubi hospital is at capacity and the injured are being treated in the car park, according to local reporters. #Iraq pic.twitter.com/3bTiT4AsQK
— Mohammad Ali Musawi (@malimusawi) February 26, 2021
#Iraq : Video being widely shared of young protester seriously injured during latest protests in Nasiriya demanding resignation of local governor – reports of clashes circulating with hashtag #الناصرية_تقمع https://t.co/eHMpwqZG3f
— sebastian usher (@sebusher) February 26, 2021
A hospital source said most of the dead died from bullet wounds, adding that about 120 protesters were injured. At least 57 security personnel were injured, according to another hospital source and security source.
Clashes continued Friday night after a week of violence that erupted Sunday, when security forces opened fire to disperse protesters who were trying to storm the provincial government building using stones and Molotov cocktails.