WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is outraged that peaceful Iraqi protesters calling for reform have faced threats and “brutal violence,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Thursday in a statement.
One person died and several were injured Tuesday when Iraqi security forces fired live ammunition into the air to disperse anti-government protests in central Baghdad, according to security and medical sources.
Hundreds of people demonstrated in Tahrir Square, shouting slogans against Iranian-backed militias and accusing Prime Minister Moustafa al-Kadhimi’s government of failing to answer for the deaths of dozens of militants shot dead in different parts of the country these days. last months.
“The United States is outraged that peaceful protesters, who have taken to the streets to demand reforms, have faced threats and brutal violence,” Ned Price said.
“We commend all government efforts to hold militias, thugs and vigilantes accountable for their attacks on Iraqis exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as for their assault on Iraqis. ‘Rule of law. “
(Mohammad Zargham; French version Camille Raynaud)
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