11 demonstrators slain in Iraq's Basra within week

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD

The number of demonstrators killed in Iraq’s southern Basra province within the last week has risen to 11, according to local sources.

Two more protestors were killed Thursday evening as demonstrations continued in Basra city, a source at the city’s general hospital -- who preferred anonymity -- told Anadolu Agency on Friday.

One of the slain protesters was killed by gunfire while the second died after suffering severe burns, the source said.

The hospital also received 45 people who had been injured by gunfire or teargas, the same source added.

In a statement, Iraq’s state-run Human Rights Commission confirmed the death on Thursday evening of at least two protesters.

Thursday evening also saw the Iraqi army’s Basra Operations Command impose an indefinite, province-wide curfew.

The move came after demonstrators attempted to torch several government buildings, including Basra’s provincial headquarters and the state television broadcast building.

Angry protesters also targeted the offices of certain pro-Iran political parties and -- at one point -- reportedly converged on the Iranian consulate in Basra.

Basra Police First Lieutenant Dhiyab Saloum al-Jaberi told Anadolu Agency on Friday that the curfew was aimed at deterring armed gangs from exploiting the chaos to carry out criminal acts.

Since July 9, Iraq’s Shia-majority central and southern provinces -- especially Basra -- have been rocked by protests to demand better public services, more job opportunities and an end to government corruption.

Since the protests began almost two months ago, at least 26 demonstrators have been killed in clashes with security forces, according to the rights commission.