A police officer was killed and several other people were injured Sunday in clashes between Iraqi forces and protesters in southern Iraq, authorities said.
The events first occurred in Habubi Square in the town of Nasiriyah, following protests against the detention of activists there. The armed forces used tear gas and sticks to disperse protesters who threw stones at them. From time to time shots were heard.
There were mixed versions of how the Iraqi policeman died. According to official sources, 18 protesters and more than 40 policemen were injured. The sources asked not to be identified.
The Iraqi armed forces issued a statement stating that one policeman was killed and 33 others were injured. They did not give more details.
Protests have continued in southern Iraq, where the majority of the population is ethnic Shiites, even though in the capital they have declined due to the coronavirus pandemic and government crackdown.
More than 500 protesters were killed in a massive crackdown that began in October 2019, when thousands of people rose up to denounce corruption, unemployment, lack of public services and other social problems.
–
