ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — One protester was killed and dozens were injured in continued clashes between security forces and protesters in Nasiryiah on Thursday, an official from the Dhi Qar Health Department told Rudaw English.
Sajjad Muhammad, 26, was shot dead on Nasr Bridge in the city centre during clashes with security forces, according to Dr Haidar Hantoush. Thirty-five people were also injured throughout the day.
Protesters are demanding the dismissal of the governor Nathem al-Waeli.
"Tomorrow, Nasiriyah will see further escalation, and the demonstrations will not stop until our demands are fulfilled and the governor is dismissed," activist Salam al Ghazi told Rudaw English on Thursday.
This is the fourth consecutive day of violent clashes in the city, with two demonstrators confirmed killed and dozens more injured. At least 60 people were injured on Wednesday alone, activists have said.
Demonstrations erupted on Monday morning in front of the Dhi Qar Governorate headquarters, with protesters demanding the overthrow of the local government and Waeli’s dismissal, a local activist Muhammad Nasser told Rudaw English on Monday.
Omer Kamel, 16, was shot dead by security forces during clashes which erupted after protesters set fire to the building later that day, activists told Rudaw English. Several others were injured.
Contrary to activist claims, Dr Hantoush denied that a second protester had been killed on Monday, saying he was in a critical condition in hospital.
The southern Iraqi city has seen some of the worst bloodsheds since the protest movement, calling for basic services and an end to corruption swept across central and southern Iraq in October 2019.
In November 2020, protesters in the city's Habboubi Square were forced out of their tents and shot at by supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, leaving at least seven people dead and scores wounded. Protesters moved back into the square a week later and vowed to continue protesting.
Two protesters were killed in the city during renewed clashes last month.
At least 600 people have been killed and more than 18,000 injured since the protests began, according to figures released by Amnesty International last year.
