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Iraq
An man walks past burning tires during clashes with police in Nasiriyah on January 10, 2021. Photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Clashes have continued in Nasiriyah city for the second day in a row as anger escalates after two protesters were shot dead on Monday.
Activists in the city have told Rudaw English that seven protesters have been injured in clashes with security forces near Habboubi Square, the epicentre of demonstrations in the city.
Bloody clashes between security forces and protesters killed two protesters, including a teenager, and left 16 others wounded in the city on Monday evening. Protesters were shot after setting fire to the local government headquarters, demanding the dismissal of Dhi Qar Governor Nathem al-Waeli and other local officials. A curfew has since been in place in the city.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) condemned the violence in the province of Dhi Qar on Tuesday.
"We strongly condemn the recent bloody acts of violence in Dhi Qar, and call on the authorities once again to put an end to impunity and to bring those responsible for this attack to justice.”
Some activists have accused interior ministry security forces of killing the two protesters, telling Rudaw English that they are responsible for previous violations against demonstrators.
Local activist Zaied al Assad told Rudaw English that protesters want Waeli to be removed from office as he is unable to confront militia groups responsible for the killing and kidnapping of those involved in the protest movement.
"Waeli is very weak, he cannot face militias that keep killing and kidnapping activists in Nasiriyah." he said on Tuesday. “He is corrupted.”
In an official statement on Tuesday, Waeli said Monday’s attack on the governorate building was a “political move” led by a group of “deceived” young men for political gain.
"What happened in Nasiriyah does not represent the peaceful demonstrators," he added, also pledging to bring corrupt politicians “to justice.”
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. Two protesters were also killed in renewed clashes earlier this month.
In November 2020, protesters in 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.
Activists are often threatened, kidnapped and killed for their involvement in the protest movement. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi sent counter-terror forces to Nasiriyah to find missing activist Sajad al-Iraqi in September, claiming to know of his location, but he is yet to be found.
Activists in Nasiriyah have held sit-ins demanding authorities to reveal the fate of protesters abducted in the city.
At least 600 people have been killed across Iraq and more than 18,000 injured since the protests began, according to figures released by Amnesty International last year.
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