Iraq: Death toll from ongoing protests climbs to 44

Baghdad (QNN)- At least 44 people have been killed and hundreds have been wounded since the beginning of anti-government protests across Iraq earlier this week, according to Reuters.

The Iraq High Commission for Human Rights said late on Thursday that at least 1,177 people have been injured over the last three days.

In a recent development, the Iraqi Police opened fire on Friday at protesters who were trying to break the curfew in Baghdad.

Protesters have been peacefully demanding improvement in living conditions and an end to corruption. Security forces have opened fire on protesters to disperse them, causing mass casualties.

On Thursday, Iraqi authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Baghdad in a bid to quell the protests.

Internet access has been cut in much of Iraq since late Wednesday in a desperate move to curb the rallies.

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said the curfew will maintain public order and protect protesters from “infiltrators”.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called on security forces and demonstrators to use restraint.

“The use of force by security forces must be proportionate to the situation,” said Katharina Ritz, ICRC’s head of delegation in Iraq. “In particular firearms and live ammunition must only be used as a last resort and to protect against an imminent threat to life.”