THE death toll from the latest protests in Iraq has climbed to 42.
A senior government official in the country’s south said 12 protesters died in a fire they started while storming the office of powerful militia during a rally there a day earlier.
Another two are reported to have died after being hit by tear gas canisters which were fired by security forces.
The anti-government protests erupted on Friday after leaderless, spontaneous revolts, which left 150 dead, were violently quelled earlier this month in the war-torn country.
The southern official said that in Diwaniyah town, bodies were being removed yesterday from a building belonging to a powerful militia where the protesters set it on fire on Friday.
In the capital, Baghdad, protesters gathered again yesterday in the central Tahrir Square but there were no immediate reports of violence.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel