Four deaths add to Iraq protest toll

BAGHDAD — Clashes between Iraqi protesters and security forces Thursday in central Baghdad killed four people and wounded 62, Iraqi medical and security officials said, as authorities continued to clamp down on the anti-government demonstrations.

According to the officials, the casualties occurred in the Khilani area near Tahrir Square, which has been witnessing protests for weeks. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

The protests have mostly been taking place in Baghdad and the predominantly Shiite southern provinces. At least 320 people have been killed and thousands have been wounded since the unrest began on Oct. 1.

Many of the protesters have been killed by gas canisters. Amnesty International says security forces in Baghdad have fired military-grade teargas grenades directly into the crowds, causing horrific wounds and occasionally lodging the projectiles in people’s skulls.

Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari said Thursday that autopsy reports found tear-gas canisters responsible for protester deaths were not-purchased by the government.

He said that the projectiles discovered in bodies of the protesters during the autopsies were “not imported by the Iraqi government or any official Iraqi body.” He did not elaborate about the source of the canisters. Some protesters have said they suspect the canisters come from Iran, whose influence they partially blame for the violent crackdown.