(21 Nov 2019) Medical volunteers in Baghdad treating several wounded protesters after clashes erupted again between security forces and anti-government demonstrators in the Iraqi capital.
Renewed clashes overnight between anti-government demonstrators and security forces killed four protesters, Iraqi security and hospital officials said Thursday.
The altercations on two strategic bridges in the capital also left at least 36 people wounded, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Initial reports had two killed but the death toll later rose after two of the injured protesters died of their wounds.
One protester was killed when security forces used live rounds to repel demonstrators on Ahrar Bridge.
The other protester was killed when a tear gas canister was fired on Sinak Bridge, hitting him in the head.
Two protester later succumbed to their injuries.
Both bridges appeared to be calm by morning hours.
Protesters have been occupying parts of Baghdad's three main bridges – Sinak and Ahrar and Jumurhiya – leading to the heavily fortified Green Zone, the seat of Iraq's government.
Medical volunteers worked to extract shrapnel from exploded tear gas canisters from the wounded, as the wounded recuperated in medical tents in Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the protest movement.
At least 320 protesters have been killed and thousands have been wounded since the unrest began on October 1, when demonstrators took to the streets to decry rampant government corruption and lack of basic services despite Iraq's oil wealth.
The leaderless movement seeks to dismantle the sectarian system and unseat the government, including Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi.
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