Nearly 4000 people have been reported injured in the protests that began against the severe state of unemployment and poor public services in Iraq. And according to the parliament's human rights commission, as unrest enters day five, the death toll across the nation has risen to 93.
also read
- Exiled prince Reza Pahlavi calls for continued protests in Iran on January 10, 11; hints at return to Tehran
- ‘Youth should take to streets like in Nepal’: SP leader joins Ajay Chautala’s call for mass movement in India
- Did Iraq remove Hezbollah and Houthis from sanctions list after pressure from Iran?
The authorities have imposed a virtual blackout of the internet and confirmation of protest casualties in the provinces has trickled in slowly.
Firebrand cleric, Muqtada Sadr has called for the government to resign amid the chaos. The former Shiite militia leader added that he could "not keep silent" as Iraqi blood was being shed.
It is not clear whether the latest deaths were from Friday's huge protests or fresh demonstrations on Saturday.
Security forces have been using water cannon, tear gas, live rounds and rubber bullets on the protesters.
Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani urged authorities in a midday sermon to heed the demands of demonstrators, warning the protests could escalate unless immediate and clear steps are taken.
Riot police have blocked Tahir Square in Baghdad, a focal point in the protests, according to reports, despite government-imposed curfew being lifted. A demonstrator has said that protests will continue until the government falls. Subsequent messages from Mr Sistani and Mr Sadr are a huge blow to Abdel Mahdi's government.
Food prices have increased while many shops and petrol stations have remained shut in Baghdad. PM Adel Abdul-Mahdi on Friday asked for more time to bring about reforms demanded by the protesters and said that their legitimate demands have been heard and that they should now go home.
Human rights group Amnesty International has appealed to the Iraqi government that security forces be kept in check. They have condemned the use of tear gas canisters directly at the protesters.
