8 killed, 15 wounded in new clashes in Iraq

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Eight protesters were killed Sunday in clashes in the Iraqi capital between protesters and security forces, medics and security sources said, on the sixth day of anti-government rallies that have left over 100 dead.

The renewed violence came hours after the government announced a string of reforms following an “extraordinary” session overnight in response to the protests that began on Tuesday.

After a largely calm morning, clashes erupted in Sadr City in eastern Baghdad, security sources said.

Protesters in several parts of the Shiite stronghold burned tires and launched fireworks towards the police amassed there, witnesses said. Shots were also heard in the area.

Medics and security sources told AFP eight protesters were killed in the clashes.

The interior ministry had earlier said that 104 people had been killed, including eight members of the security forces, and more than 6,000 wounded around the country since the protests kicked off on Tuesday.

It was unclear if the eight protesters were included in that toll, which is the first time the ministry had announced such statistics related to the violence of recent days.

The majority of protesters killed were struck by bullets, according to medical sources, who said on Friday that six police officers have also been killed.

The authorities have accused “saboteurs” and unidentified snipers of targeting protesters.

The United Nations on Saturday urged an end to violence in Iraq, after days of protests calling for the government to resign.

Confronted by its biggest challenge since coming to power just under a year ago, Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi’s cabinet early Sunday issued a decree including 17 planned reforms, such as land distributions and increased welfare stipends for needy families.

The decree after an overnight “extraordinary” session ordered the construction of 100,000 new housing units. In September, local authorities began demolishing houses in informal settlements, home to three million Iraqis across the country.