Teenager among two protesters killed in fresh clashes in Nasiriyah

Update : Medical officials confirmed to Rudaw English on February 25 that one of the protesters is in fact in a critical condition, contrary to activist claims he had died. For further information, please see here.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A teenager is among two protesters killed in bloody clashes that left 16 others wounded in Nasiriyah on Monday evening, activists have told Rudaw English.

Demonstrations erupted on Monday morning, in front of the Dhi Qar Governorate headquarters, demanding the overthrow of the local government and the dismissal of the governor Nathem Al-Waeli, local activist Muhammad Nasser told Rudaw English on Monday.

Omer Kamel, 16, was shot dead by security forces during clashes with security forces which erupted after protesters set fire to the building later that day, activists told Rudaw English. Several others were injured. 

The southern Iraqi city has seen some of the worst bloodshed since the protest movement, calling for basic services and an end to corruption, began in October 2019. 

In November 2020, protesters in the city’s Habboubi Square were forced out of their tents and shot at by supporters of  Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, leaving at least seven people dead and scores wounded. Protesters moved back into the square a week later and vowed to continue protesting.

Two protesters were killed in the city during renewed clashes last month. 

“Security forces used tear gas, live ammunition and rubber bullets against protesters," Ali al-Bayati, a member of the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) told Rudaw English at the time. 

At least 600 people have been killed and more than 18,000 injured since the protests began, according to figures released by Amnesty International last year.

Activists in Nasiriyah have held sit-ins demanding authorities to reveal the fate of protesters abducted in the city.