The Latest: Protests in Iraq leave 2 dead, scores wounded
BAGHDAD (AP) — The Latest on anti-government protests in Iraq (all times local):
9:40 p.m.
Hospital officials say one protester has been killed and around 20 others injured in a southern Iraqi city.
The officials say the casualties occurred in the city of Nasiriyah, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad during anti-government protests that turned violent.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with Iraqi health ministry regulations.
The economically-driven protests erupted in several cities as well as the capital Baghdad Tuesday. Iraqi security forces fired live bullets, tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.
The confrontations were some of the worst in the Iraqi capital in more than a year, and signaled that the war-weary country could be facing a new round of political instability.
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7:45 p.m.
Iraqi officials say 1 person has been killed and 200 injured in clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces in the capital, Baghdad.
The casualty toll was released in a joint statement by the Iraqi interior and health ministries Tuesday evening following hourslong protests converging on the city's main Tahrir Square, during which security forces used live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas.
The statement said those injured included 40 members of the security forces. It also called for calm and restraint after what it described as the work of "a group of rioters" among the protesters.
Tuesday's economically driven protests were organized on social media against unemployment and poor services. The confrontations were some of the worst in the Iraqi capital in more than a year.
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3:30 p.m.
Iraqi security forces have fired tear gas in Baghdad on protesters demonstrating against corruption and poor public services.
Tuesday's rally began peacefully with more than 1,000 people marching into central Tahrir Square, when the police started throwing stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the protesters. Some of the demonstrators suffered breathing problems.
The protesters said the government should be changed because of its failure to improve services and create jobs. Many chanted anti-government slogans and held posters of a special forces general recently removed from his post.
The protesters included dozens of fresh university graduates who are unable to find jobs in the corruption-plagued but oil-rich country.
Mohammed Kadhim, a 27-year-old resident of Baghdad, said the current government is full of "empty promises and lies."
