Iraqi security forces kill five protesters

Five protesters were killed on Monday in three Iraqi cities as demonstrators across the country ramped up pressure on the government to implement long-awaited reforms.

Two protesters were killed by live ammunition in capital city Baghdad, two others were killed the northeastern city of Baqubah and one more was killed in the southern city of Karbala, said medical and security sources.

The Iraqi government did not confirm the deaths. Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from the Baghdad demonstration, said activists took video showing seriously wounded protesters being carried away after the fierce clashes.  

The violence came as security forces tried to clear roads in Iraq's capital after hundreds of protesters took to the streets to express their anger at the embattled government's slow pace of reforms.

Demonstrators a week ago gave the government until Monday to act on their demands, which include the holding of a snap poll under a new electoral law, the appointment of an independent prime minister and the prosecution of officials suspected of corruption.

The UN envoy to Iraq urged Iraqi political elites to resume pushing for reforms and for protests to remain peaceful.

Agencies

 

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