18 killed as masked gunmen atack protesters in Iraqi city

BAGHDAD: Masked gunmen opened fire at Iraqi protesters in the Shiite holy city of Karbala on Tuesday, killing 18 people and wounding hundreds, security officials said, in one of the deadliest single atacks since anti-government demonstrations erupted earlier this month.

The overnight atack came as Iraqis took to the streets for a fith straight day ater a hiatus in the demonstrations that began earlier this month to protest government corruption, a lack of jobs and municipal services and other grievances.

There were differing accounts and death tolls, and details were still emerging from the scene.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the atack, and protesters said they did not know whether the masked men were riot police, special forces or Iran-linked militias.

The protesters said Iraqi soldiers had been stationed around the protest site but withdrew ater the atackers began firing tear gas and live ammunition.

Amid a clampdown by security forces, it was difficult to piece together what exactly prompted the atack although eyewitnesses told The Associated Press that masked gunmen opened fire on the camp.

Provincial governor Nassif Al Khutabi denied that any protesters were killed but said there were some injuries among security forces.

He said videos posted online were fabricated and not from Karbala. The footage purported to show the atermath of the atack, with fires and people running away to the sound of heavy gunfire.

Al Khutabi’s description contradicted those from people who were at the scene.

An AP video showed a nightime fire and young protesters, some of them taking video with their cellphones, as gunfire echoes.

An ambulance can be seen trying to drive amid the chaos, with Iraqi security forces arriving.

Tuesday’s atack happened in Karbala’s Education Square, where protesters had set up tents for their sit-in.

One of the demonstrators said they were chanting slogans when an army unit arrived and that they gave the soldiers flowers and had friendly interactions.

Then tear gas canisters came spiraling into the square, fired from the streets and alleys behind the soldiers, who then withdrew.

“We saw masked men dressed all in black and they fired live bullets toward the square,” the protester said. “People fell dead and wounded right next to me. We tried to escape but when we fled into the alleys we ran into moving checkpoints set up by these forces. They arrested people and searched their phones for video of what had happened.”